Drink driver so drunk he needed eight attempts to blow into breathalyser

In a masterclass on what not to do behind the wheel, a driver was pulled over so drunk it took him eight tries to successfully blow into a breathalyser.

After several, almost comedic, attempts to provide a sample, the wobbly man was found to have been more than four times over the drink drive limit.

Vincent Lime, 36, from Corringham, Thurrock, was arrested on the M4 eastbound near junction 14 at approximately 3pm on December 6, 2025.

Police footage shows Lime swerving dangerously in his Ford Fiesta before officers pulled him over.

Once out of the car, the bodycam video shows his painfully unsuccessful attempts at blowing into the device.

His roadside breath test, once finally complete, gave a reading of 148mg – more than four times the legal limit to a ‘hallelujah’ from the officer.

Lime says: ‘I’m sorry.’

The light-hearted officer, replies: ‘It’s alright everyone’s a bit silly now and again don’t you worry.’

He was also found to be only a provisional license holder and the vehicle was seized.

Lime was later charged with driving a vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence and drink driving.

Yesterday, Lime appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty and was given a 30-month driving disqualification.

He must also pay £85 Crown Prosecution Service costs and a £114 surcharge.

Lime’s arrest came as part of Operation Limit, where officers carry out regular patrols to intercept drink or drug drivers and remove them from the road before they cause serious harm to themselves or others.

PC Davis of the Roads Policing Unit said: ‘Lime’s manner of driving caused three members of the public travelling on the M4 at the same time to call 999 to report their serious concerns about the danger he posed to them and others.  

‘He was witnessed swerving across lanes, almost colliding at speed with other vehicles.

‘Thankfully, officers managed to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. Lime was so intoxicated it took him eight attempts to provide a roadside breath test.  

‘This was a busy Saturday afternoon in December – the roads were understandably busy and I am actually amazed that he didn’t cause a serious collision.

‘Drink or drug driving is not tolerated in Wiltshire and I cannot stress enough how important it is to plan your journey home if you’re planning on consuming alcohol of an evening – this includes any trips you are planning on making the following day when you could still be over the legal limit.

‘Never get behind the wheel of a car if you think you may be over the limit. The risk is never, ever worth it.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.