A driving instructor has been banned from the roads after crashing his tuition vehicle into a ditch while four times over the legal alcohol limit.
Timothy Howells, 54, lost control of his Volkswagen Polo — marked with driving school branding and L-plates — before leaving the road and coming to rest in trees and shrubbery on the A484 between Pembrey and Kidwelly in West Wales.
The incident occurred at around 7.38am as Howells was reportedly on his way to collect a pupil for a driving lesson.
Police attending the scene carried out a roadside breath test, which produced a reading of 110 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. A subsequent evidential test in custody recorded a reading of 132, confirming he was approximately four times over the prescribed limit.
Howells was arrested at the scene and later appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted the offence.
He was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and disqualified from driving for 30 months.
In comments following the case, Chief Inspector Christina Fraser highlighted the seriousness of the offending, particularly given Howells’ professional role.
“Mr Howells was operating in a position of great trust and responsibility; Roads Policing officers have worked quickly in conjunction with colleagues, CPS and the DVSA, to ensure learner drivers and other road users have been safeguarded,” she said.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and professional consequences of drink driving, particularly for those in regulated or safety-critical roles.
Driving or attempting to drive while over the prescribed alcohol limit carries mandatory disqualification, and in more serious cases, particularly where there is a collision or aggravating features, custodial sentences remain a real possibility.
For driving instructors, the implications extend beyond the criminal courts, with potential regulatory consequences that may affect their ability to continue practising.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
