Scientist Banned for Drink Driving After Designing Breathalysers
In a shocking turn of events, a scientist who dedicated his career to designing breathalysers to catch drunken motorists found himself on the wrong side of the law. Retired Dr. Richard Lacey, 70, faced the consequences of his actions when he was banned for drink driving after failing a roadside breath test.
The Incident
Dr. Lacey’s misjudgment came to light when he mounted a roundabout in his car after consuming a bottle of wine and pints during his lunch. The court heard that the incident resulted in damage to his Peugeot 208 Gt Puretech, rendering it immobile. Despite his past involvement in designing breathalysers and working with the police, Dr. Lacey failed to adhere to the legal limits of alcohol consumption.
Court Proceedings
During the court proceedings, Dr. Lacey admitted to his mistake, stating, “I misjudged how much I’d drunk.” The prosecutor, Shane Maddocks, highlighted Dr. Lacey’s state as ‘wobbly’ when police arrived at the scene in Powys. The court heard that Dr. Lacey’s breath test revealed 41 micrograms of alcohol, surpassing the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Legal Consequences
As a result of his actions, Dr. Lacey pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink driving. He was disqualified from driving for 13 months, with the opportunity to reduce the ban by 13 weeks by completing a drink drive awareness course. Additionally, he was fined £600 and required to pay a £240 surcharge along with £85 in costs.
Despite his contributions to developing breathalysers that have aided in catching thousands of drunken drivers, Dr. Lacey’s own disregard for the law serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. This incident underscores the importance of personal responsibility and adherence to legal limits to ensure the safety of oneself and others on the road.
