A "cloudy-minded" man drove for 10 miles along the motorway with two burst tyres and blamed his actions on Covid.
Laurie Rosser had two blow outs as he drove along the M4 after a night out with friends, a court heard.
The 42-year-old kept driving even after he lost the front and back tyres on one side of his Vauxhall van and the steel hubs were worn away on the road.
But he claimed he was influenced by Covid.
The dad-of-four had been drinking before stunned police officers finally pulled him over after drivers reported the tyre-less van.
When breathalysed at the roadside he was found to be almost twice the legal limit for driving, but later claimed in court he had no idea he was over the limit.
However, in court it was said he had Covid and the virus caused his mind to be “cloudy”.
Rhys Davies, defending, said the Rosser had been unaware he had had Covid at the time of his dangerous driving and that it affected his judgement.
Mr Davies said: "He tested positive for Covid the following day and said his mind was cloudy.
"That influenced his decision to drive with two defective tyres on the vehicle.
"He continued driving because he wanted to get to a place of safety off the motorway."
The self-employed carpenter from Swansea admitted to drink driving on June 26.
His failed breath test gave a reading of 66, with the legal limit being 35 micrograms per 100mililitres of breath.
Mr Davies continued: "It is an unfortunate incident - he was genuinely unaware he was over the prescribed limit.
"He had been out with friends earlier on in the evening and had drunk two pints. He says having Covid influenced his decision to drive.
"Due to the hour of the day, after suffering two blow outs he took the decision to drive to a place of safety.
"The Highway Code says if you can get off the motorway you should always do so."
Prosecutor Lucy Mansfield said the offence was aggravated by Rosser continuing to drive on missing tyres.
Rosser was the sole breadwinner for his disabled wife and four children and he was "extremely fearful" a driving ban would leave him unemployed.
The court heard it as a "one-off" and Rosser, who previously worked in the prison service, had no previous convictions.
Rosser was disqualified from driving for 17 months by Swansea Magistrates and fined £300.
