M5 lorry driver jailed after drink-driving in Somerset

A lorry driver has been jailed after driving on the M5 while more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Ihar Shynkevich, 35, was pulled over by police in Somerset on 5 February after a 999 call from a member of the public.

Police dashcam footage showed the HGV, which was carrying cargo weighing more than 21 tonnes, veering between lanes.

Shynkevich, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 19 weeks imprisonment for driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

He was also disqualified from driving for 1163 days at Taunton Magistrates' Court on 6 February.

Avon and Somerset Police said a concerned member of the public described Shynkevich driving erratically before he was seen by officers narrowly avoiding a vehicle joining the northbound carriageway at junction 22 near Axbridge.

'Dangerous driver'

Roads policing A/Insp Stephen Whatley said: "Considering the size of Shynkevich's vehicle, the weight of the load he was carrying and the manner of his driving on a busy stretch of carriageway, there could easily have been a major collision on the M5 that afternoon."

He said: "Fortunately, this was avoided and a dangerous driver has now been taken off the roads thanks to a report from a member of the public."

"Given the seriousness of the circumstances, a custodial sentence is appropriate and welcomed," he added.

According to the force, there have been 255 arrests for drink driving and 153 arrests for drug driving in the Avon and Somerset police area so far this year.

A concerned member of the public called 999 to report Shynkevich's driving

Ch Insp Rob Cheeseman, head of roads policing, said: "The arrest data for the first eight weeks of 2024 shows that drink and drug driving remains a major problem on our roads, despite the well known risks."

"To be clear: those who make the reckless choice to drink or drug drive, day or night, should expect to get caught," he added.

The force urged anyone who suspected someone may be drink or drug driving to contact them immediately or report anonymously to Crimestoppers.