Timothy Howells: Driving instructor, 54, crashes into ditch on way to lesson, blows four times over limit

The moment a drunk driving instructor crashed into a ditch on the way to his first lesson has been caught on camera.

The embarrassing incident happened when 54-year-old Timothy Howells, a driving instructor from Carmarhenshire, veered off the road into a ditch full of shrubbery.

He was on his way to his first lesson of the day on February 20, but at around 7.38am police received a report of a single vehicle collision on the A484 between Pembrey to Kidwelly, West Wales.

Photos of the incident show a dazed and drunk Howells peering out of the RED Driving School branded VW Polo covered in branches.

Howells appeared heavily intoxicated, a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said, and was given an initial breath test, which came back with a reading of 110 (0.25% BAC). He was then arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

According to a police spokesperson, “While in custody, Howells provided a second evidential breath test reading of 132 (0.30% BAC) - four times over the limit.”

In the UK, the legal breath alcohol limit for drivers is 35 (0.08% BAC).

In an interview with police, Howells admitted he was on his way to collect a pupil for a driving lesson.

He appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court where he was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He is also banned from driving for 30 months.

Chief Inspector Christina Fraser said that Howell’s “presented a serious risk of harm.”

“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.