Shocking footage shows drunk HGV driver swerving all over M5
This shocking video shows a drunk HGV driver swerving across the M5[1]. The video, released by Avon and Somerset Police, shows lorry driver Ihar Shynkevich, who was three times over the legal alcohol limit, veering between lanes and nearly causing a massive crash on the M5.
Thankfully, the 35-year-old was stopped by police after a member of the public called 999[2]. They had seen his 21-tonne lorry being driven dangerously and were fearful that there would be a serious collision.
Shynkevich was arrested at Sedgemoor service station in Somerset after he failed a breath test at the roadside. He was then charged with driving a vehicle while being over the allowed alcohol limit.
He appeared in court on February 6, 2024. He was given a prison sentence of 19 weeks and was also banned from driving for 1163 days.
Roads Policing Acting Inspector Stephen Whatley said: “Considering the size of Shynkevich’s vehicle, the weight of the load he was carrying and the manner of his driving on a busy stretch of carriageway, there could easily have been a major collision on the M5 that afternoon.
“Fortunately, this was avoided and a dangerous driver has now been taken off the roads thanks to a report from a member of the public. Given the seriousness of the circumstances, a custodial sentence is appropriate and welcomed.”
Police dashcam footage shows the lorry, which was carrying cargo weighing more than 21 tonnes, veering between lanes and narrowly avoiding a vehicle joining the northbound carriageway at junction 22. The audio of the 999 recording made to police has also been released by the force and can be heard at the top of this article.
The lorry was caught on police dashcam swerving all over the road (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
So far, in 2024, Avon and Somerset have made a shocking total of 408 arrests for drink driving (255) and drug driving (153), all within just over eight weeks. To put that into perspective, only 324 drivers were arrested during the December campaign against drink and drug driving.
Head of Roads Policing, Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, said: “The arrest data for the first eight weeks of 2024 shows that drink and drug driving remains a major problem on our roads, despite the well known risks..
“It should also dispel the misconception that enforcement activity only goes on during the Christmas period when media attention peaks. To be clear: those who make the reckless choice to drink or drug drive, day or night, should expect to get caught.”
References
- ^ swerving across the M5 (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ public called 999 (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Thomas Kingston’s cause of death after he was found dead in the Cotswolds (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Walls Social Club in Barnwood announces shock closure (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)