Drink driver reversed up M6 Toll after panicking over fee
A drink driver reversed along the M6 Toll for more than a mile after getting lost and 'panicking' because he had little cash and didn't know how much it would cost, a court heard.
Peter Harrison was stopped by police as he drove backwards up the slip road to the Norton Canes services.
The 46-year-old, from Pelsall, had reached a toll plaza but then decided to reverse back along the hard shoulder to the services.
He was spotted by an officer and when tested, found to have 82 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.
During a hearing at Cannock Magistrates Court, Harrison, of Avon Crescent, admitted driving a motor vehicle dangerously and when above the drink drive limit.
He was given an interim driving disqualification but the case was adjourned for sentencing.
Mr John Peel, prosecuting, said Harrison was seen in the Vauxhall Corsa just before midnight on July 7 this year when an officer was on mobile patrol.
He said that Harrison had told police that he had only consumed one-and-a-half pints on that evening, and had lost his way home. But accepted his actions were dangerous.
Mr Brij Chaudhry, defending, said his client had suffered from previous anxiety and depression issues and his impending court appearance had affected him.
He told the court: "On the night in question he was travelling from a friend's house, having home to see that friend. He consumed a pint-and-a-half during that evening.
"He is travelling home, he loses his way and ends up on the M6 Toll Road. He has never been on before.
"He starts panicking, he has little funds, he doesn't know how much the Toll costs. He has never been in that situation before.
"He takes a most foolish decision and reverses to that service area so he can try and get his bearings."
Mr Chaudhry said Harrison had been out drinking on the Sunday night, the evening before the offences took place on the Monday, and the reason for the excess alcohol level could have been due to a 'top up' from then.
He added: "There was no accident or injury to any person. He has shown genuine remorse. It was late at night, the traffic was light, he was on the hard shoulder."
Magistrates decided a report was necessary before passing sentencing and Harrison was bailed to appear again today.
