A bus driver has been banned from the roads after he was caught almost three times the drink drive limit while on his way to drive more than 70 pupils to school. Nelam Singh was heading to work when he was spotted 'weaving erratically' on a motorway in his Mercedes car.
The reckless motorist was just minutes away from putting children's lives at risk as he was on his way to drive a bus with dozens of schoolchildren on board. Now, the 53 year old has been disqualified from driving for two years and condemned for his 'dangerous' actions.
Singh, from Southsea in Portsmouth, Hants, was caught driving erratically on the M27 by Southampton, Hants, around 6.30am on February 17 this year. He was spotted by an off-duty roads policing officer who sprang into action and prevented him getting to work.
On a breathalyser, Singh blew a recording of 101micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath - almost three times the legal limit. Singh admitted drink driving at Southampton Magistrates' Court and was banned for two years, ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work and pay £180 in costs and a surcharge.
Sergeant Richard Miell, of Hampshire Constabulary's Roads Policing Unit, said: "Not only did Singh put himself and other road users in danger by choosing to get behind the wheel of a car while impaired. "He was also going to endanger the lives of a large number of schoolchildren and drive a bus, all while under the influence.
"Thankfully the quick actions of one of our off-duty roads policing officers ensured this did not happen. While the vast majority of drivers do not drink and drive, it's disappointing that some still are doing so. The message is simple, it's not worth the risk and can have very real and fatal consequences."
