A disqualified Mercedes driver was so intoxicated that he fell asleep behind the wheel on a busy road, just days after being banned for drink driving. Tomololu Oyeniku, 42, was caught when police left the M25 and entered a slip road at Junction 30.
Dangerous Incident on the M25
Officers noticed a white Mercedes stationary in lane two of three, with its engine running and brake lights on, despite the traffic lights being green. Other drivers were forced to swerve to avoid the car. As officers approached, they saw the driver slumped forward with his hands on the steering wheel and his head down. When they opened the door, a strong smell of alcohol was immediately evident.
Arrest and Legal Consequences
Oyeniku failed a roadside breath test, showing he was around three-and-a-half times over the legal limit, and was remanded in custody. He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 21, where he pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, and having no insurance. He had been disqualified from driving on April 17 after a previous drink driving conviction, receiving a 12-week suspended prison sentence. For this new offence, he was jailed for 29 weeks and disqualified from driving for 64 months.
Police Warning on Drink Driving
PC Lauren Rodgers commented: “Driving while under the influence of alcohol, particularly at such high levels, puts other road users and pedestrians at serious risk, with potentially fatal consequences. Alcohol seriously impairs judgement, reaction times and coordination. Drivers under the influence are far less able to respond to hazards, maintain control of their vehicle or make safe decisions, significantly increasing the risk of serious collisions.”
