A driver narrowly escaped death after getting behind the wheel of their car intoxicated and crashing into a ditch.
The motorist was reportedly three times over the allowed limit of alcohol and the incident required ‘several emergency crews’ to deal with the scene.
Police in Northern Ireland posted an image of the crash and said: “Drink driving continues to be a problem across the service and last night was no different in Ards.”
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They went on to point out it was a miracle that no one was seriously injured or killed in the incident that occurred on a busy road.
“How no one was killed on this busy stretch of road which is normally busy with both vehicles and pedestrians is a mystery,” the Facebook post said.
Officers then confirmed that: “The driver blew three times over the alcohol limit at the roadside and was arrested.
“This selfish act has taken several emergency crews to deal with and could have ended much worse.
“Never drink and drive.”
While PSNI officers point to the issue up North, it also needs to be clamped down on in the Republic of Ireland. So far in 2022, an Garda Siochana have caught more than 3,500 motorists driving while intoxicated.
According to the senior Garda officer in charge of road policing, drink-driving has seen an increase after declining amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the June Bank Holiday weekend, more than 110 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drink or drugs across the country.
If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Ireland, you are automatically fined and disqualified from operating a vehicle for a set period of time.
Those who become repeat offenders or it is a particularly serious breach could be sentenced to prison.
Fines range from €200 - €400 and prison time can be anywhere from six months to six years depending on the situation and the driver themselves.
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