Drink-Driving Lorry Driver Wanted by Police Arrested on A-7 and Sent to Prison

A 53-year-old lorry driver has been arrested on the A-7 motorway near Alcoy after being found to be driving with an alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, despite having been banned from driving until 2028 and having an arrest warrant issued against him. The arrest took place during a routine roadside check by Guardia Civil officers who were conducting preventive inspections of commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with road safety regulations.

The driver, operating a goods-laden articulated lorry, displayed signs of alcohol consumption during the inspection, which prompted a breathalyser test that revealed an alcohol reading significantly above the permissible limit for professional drivers. While the driver initially received a minor administrative penalty, including a fine and the suspension of his driving license, further examination of his records uncovered more serious breaches of the law.

The investigation revealed that the driver had already been banned from driving by a court order valid until 2028 and that there was an outstanding arrest warrant for his imprisonment due to previous road safety offenses. Operating a heavy goods vehicle despite his disqualified status and the active warrant, the driver was subsequently arrested and transferred to police custody, where he was subsequently sentenced to imprisonment following a court hearing.

The Guardia Civil emphasized the importance of routine vehicle inspections in preventing dangerous driving and enforcing legal orders, noting that this incident highlighted how such checks can uncover serious violations beyond the initial reason for stopping a vehicle.