A drink-driver was spotted discarding empty beer cans as he swerved dangerously through traffic on the M90 in Kinross-shire.
Police received a string of panicked calls from motorists who saw William McPhee’s van and feared a serious accident.
He was more than three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit and other drivers had to take evasive action to avoid being struck by his vehicle.
Two witnesses were so concerned they followed him to his home in Kinross and saw him attempt to get out of the van, only to fall face down in the street.
Despite a previous conviction for drink-driving dating back a decade, McPhee avoided a prison sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.
However, he was banned from the road for three years in the interests of “public safety” and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. Under the terms of a community payback order he will also have to attend a rehabilitation course for drink-drivers.
McPhee, 47, of High Street, Kinross, was spotted swerving around the Perth to Inverkeithing road on July 22.
Witnesses were worried he was going to crash as he slowed abruptly, weaved through traffic and overtook unsafely, causing other motorists to have to swerve to avoid a collision.
Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall told the court: “Witnesses followed the accused’s vehicle and saw him turn off the M90 at Milnathort, throwing beer cans from his van.”
Police eventually traced McPhee at a house in Whyte Place, Milnathort, and questioned him about his driving. They reported that he had been smelling strongly of alcohol and was barely able to stand.
Solicitor David Holmes said his client had struggled with an alcohol problem and had sought assistance from his GP.
McPhee admitted driving with 126 mic of alcohol in 100ml of breath far in excess of the 35 mic legal limit.
He also admitted driving without due care or attention and while drunk, causing other road users to take evasive action to avoid a collision.