Concerned motorist’s call leads to arrest of drink-driver over four times legal limit

A drink-driver who recorded a roadside breath test reading of 142, more than four times the legal drink-drive limit, was arrested thanks to a report from a member of the public.

Officers were alerted on Sunday 13 September after a concerned motorist contacted police to report a grey Toyota RAV4 was veering between the hard shoulder and lane two on the M5 southbound between junctions 13 and 14 of the M5.

The report was initially received by Gloucestershire Police before being passed to Avon and Somerset Police officers, who carried out enquiries to locate the vehicle.

The SUV was subsequently found parked at Michaelwood Services on the southbound carriageway.

Officers located 69-year-old Bryan Househam sitting in the driver’s seat, with the keys in the ignition. A dog was also in the vehicle.

The attending officer could immediately smell alcohol on Househam and requested a roadside breath test.

Househam, of Brant Broughton, Lincoln, provided a positive breath sample of 142 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol and taken into custody where an evidential breath test recorded a reading of 100 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. 

Arrangements were made for Househam’s dog to be collected by a family member following his arrest.

Househam was subsequently charged and attended court on Thursday 8 October where he was disqualified from driving for 23 months, with the ban eligible to be reduced by 23 weeks upon successful completion of a driver education course. 

He was additionally ordered to pay fines totalling £2885.

PC Jack Keane said: “This case highlights the importance of members of the public reporting concerns about the standard of someone’s driving.

“The information provided enabled officers to quickly locate the vehicle and take positive action. Driving under the influence of alcohol puts not only the driver at risk, but also other road users and passengers.”

Most drink and drug drivers are repeat offenders. Reporting someone you know or suspect regularly drives under the influence of drink or drugs could prevent a serious or fatal collision.

You can tell us what you know anonymously by filling in our online form. 

If it’s happening now, always call 999.