Drunk Driving Instructor Crashes into Ditch While Heading to Lesson
A driving instructor from the RED Driving School has been banned from the roads after crashing his car into a ditch while heavily intoxicated on his way to a lesson. Timothy Howells, 54, was found to be four times over the legal alcohol limit when his vehicle careered off the A484 road between Pembrey and Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, west Wales.
Court Hears Details of the Incident
Llanelli Magistrates' Court heard that Howells was on his way to collect a pupil for his first lesson of the day when the single-vehicle collision occurred. Dyfed-Powys Police responded to reports of the crash and found Howells in the roadside ditch, appearing heavily intoxicated. He provided an initial roadside breath test reading of 110 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, far exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
While in custody, Howells later gave a second evidential breath test reading of 132 micrograms, confirming he was four times over the limit. The court was told that Howells, from Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, worked as a self-employed franchisee for RED Driving School, one of over 10,000 professionals associated with the company in the UK.
Public Reaction and Legal Consequences
Passing motorists witnessed the aftermath of the crash, with one driver filming Howells as he peered out of the open driver's side window. In a video shared online, a bystander can be heard shouting, "Plenty to drink last night or what? You can't park there mate." Despite the severity of the offence, Howells received an eight-week custodial sentence that was suspended for 18 months.
However, he was banned from driving for 30 months after admitting to drink driving. This ban effectively prevents him from working as a driving instructor for at least that period, impacting his livelihood. Photographs from the scene show Howells sitting in the passenger seat of another car while his marked RED Driving School VW Polo was recovered from the bushes.
Police and Company Response
Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Inspector Christina Fraser commented after the court appearance, stating, "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 from an individual who presented a serious risk of harm."
RED Driving School, described on its website as "the largest trainer of driving instructors in the UK, having trained over 10,000 people to reach full ADI qualification," was named the national driving school of the year for 2021. The company has declined to comment on the incident, despite approaches from media outlets. The case highlights the dangers of drink driving, particularly among those entrusted with teaching safe driving practices.
