This is the shocking moment a lorry driver is caught four times the drink-drink limit as he weaves across the motorway so badly one driver rings the police.
Ihar Shynkevich’s 44-tonne HGV could be seen veering from lane to lane and narrowly missing a car joining the motorway from a slip road.
Police were called when a member of the public became so concerned with his lane swapping on the M5 in Somerset that he phoned in his registration plate.
Shynkevich has been sent to prison after he was warned his recklessness could have killed someone.
The 35-year-old was disqualified from driving for 1,163 days and was sentenced to 19 weeks on Tuesday for driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit.
Police officers reacted with shock when Ihar Shynkevich was breath analysed
After breathalysing Shynkevich at Sedgemoor Services, he blew 135micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is just 35
Road cops were able to locate him and see some of his manoeuvres for themselves after a member of the public phoned in.
As well as weaving, he was also perilously close to the lorry in front and was pulled over by Special Constable Danny Hopkins and Special Constable Kalvin Mackenzie on the afternoon of February 5.
After breathalysing Shynkevich at Sedgemoor Services, he blew 135micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is just 35.
Video footage shows him repeatedly asking in broken English whether he is OK to park his lorry while he is tested for alcohol.
As well as driving a massive arctic, Shynkevich was also ferrying around 21 tonnes of goods in the back, making his lorry a dangerous missile.
Police dashcam footage shows the lorry veering between lanes and narrowly avoiding a vehicle joining the northbound carriageway at junction 22.
Ihar Shynkevich’s 44-tonne HGV could be seen veering from lane to lane and narrowly missing a car joining the motorway from a slip road
Police were called when a member of the public became so concerned with his lane swapping on the M5 in Somerset that he phoned in his registration plate
Roads Policing A/Insp 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.’
So far in 2024, there have been 255 arrests for drink driving and 153 arrests for drug driving in Avon and Somerset, a total of 408 arrests in just over eight weeks.
Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, head of Roads Policing, 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.
‘I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our teams – including the Special Constabulary, who volunteer their time – who are all working tirelessly to keep our roads safe.’
