Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit have provided more details regarding the recent incident in which a truck driver was arrested for drink driving despite appearing to be observing a long break in his cab. As it turns out, the driver was simply “given words of advice” and no further action was taken.
For those who missed the story, Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit tweeted last week that a trucker had been arrested for drink-driving – despite the fact his vehicle had been parked at the side of the road all day.
Pinxton. Lorry driver parked up all day having a drinking session in the cab. Blew 134, limit is 35. Arrested for drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. #Fatal4 pic.twitter.com/62gM27oSyG
— Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit (@DerbyshireRPU) June 10, 2021
The incident and the tweet sparked a huge debate about whether the police had acted accordingly. However, some key details regarding the case remained unknown.
After being approached for comment by Trans.INFO, Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit has now provided some clarity regarding the case. According to the statement, the driver was not punished in the end:
The force was contacted by a member of the public on Tuesday 8 June concerned about a lorry parked on an industrial estate in Pinxton.
When officers attended, they found a man inside the cab who, when breathalysed, was found to be substantially over the legal limit to drive.
The keys to the lorry were in the ignition and the man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.
During an interview, the 46-year-old man explained that he had parked up in the street the previous day (Monday 7 June) and was planning to spend an extended period of time in the location due to not having any more work for at least a week.
He also explained that, due to him living in the cab for this period of time, he had to have his keys in the ignition in order for appliances to work.
After consideration of the driver’s explanation it was decided that no further action would be taken, and he was given words of advice.
Photo credit: Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit