Moment M6 drink-driver caught weaving across lanes and nearly crashing with lorries

Motorist almost twice the limit was caught on camera driving erratically on the M6 and nearly swerving in to lorries

12:25, 31 Jul 2025

This is the moment a low-speed drink-driver is caught on camera risking lives on the M6 and nearly crashing into lorries.

The motorist is seen weaving across lanes of the southbound carriageway near Junction 3A in Warwickshire[1] shortly before 4am on Wednesday, January 29.

He is doing around 30mph and is seen indicating left to come off the route while veering to the right and nearly hitting two heavy goods vehicles.

The 43-year-old driver, from Napton in Warwickshire, south of Rugby, was spotted by a National Highways officer Russell Walker on patrol on the M6.

He launched a rolling roadblock to create a large gap between the driver and others on the M6 to minimise the dangers.

The drink-driver, who was not named by Warwickshire Police, drove into Corley Services, followed by Mr Walker who observed him until police officers arrested him.

He was found to be almost double the drink-drive limit.

The driver claimed he was 'responding to an emergency' and pleaded not guilty to the offence, before admitting the crime.

He was later banned from driving for three-and-a-half years, fined GBP666 and ordered to pay a GBP266 victim surcharge and GBP85 costs, a total of GBP1,017.

National Highways team manager Chris Freeth said: "Traffic officers are out on our major roads and motorways 24/7, 365 days a year, helping to keep people safe and traffic moving.

"When Russ saw this erratic driving and a clear risk to people's safety he didn't hesitate to take action. He implemented the rolling roadblock to slow down traffic and keep them clear of the vehicle and the dangers it posed.

"We want everyone who uses our roads to get to their destination safely, but road safety is a shared responsibility - it can't be achieved in isolation. That is why we work so closely with police partners and road users to help us achieve our long-term zero-harm ambition."

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Pc Wil Weininger of Warwickshire Police's serious collision investigation team, said: "At court, he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty after initially claiming he was driving in response to an emergency.

However, this was found to be untrue.

"This significant ban of three-and-a-half years reflects the danger this driver posed to other road users on the M6 that morning.

"Following his arrest, a breath test revealed he was almost twice the legal drink drive limit.

"We would also like to thank our National Highways colleagues who patrol our A roads and motorways to identify issues and help keep the traffic running smoothly."

References

1. ^ Warwickshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Van driver dies after crash with lorry near village (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox (www.birminghammail.co.uk)