Breathalyser Designer Banned From Road After Drink-Driving Incident

A retired scientist who helped design breathalysers to catch drunken motorists has been banned from driving for 13 months after failing a roadside breath test.

Dr Richard Lacey, 70, was found to have been over the limit after mounting a roundabout in his car following a lunch where he consumed a bottle of wine and several pints of beer.

The court heard that Lacey, who previously worked for Lion Laboratories in Barry, South Wales, had mounted a roundabout in his Peugeot 208 GT, causing damage to his wheel and leaving the vehicle immobile. Police were called to the scene and Lacey was breathalysed, with the device he helped design showing he was over the legal limit.

Lacey pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink driving and was disqualified from driving for 13 months, fined £600, and ordered to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs. He was also offered the opportunity to reduce his ban by 13 weeks if he completes a drink drive awareness course.

The court heard that Lacey had no previous convictions and had cooperated fully with the police investigation. In mitigation, his lawyer said that Lacey had misjudged how much he had drunk and had not intended to drive while over the limit.

Lacey told the court that he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions and that he had learned a valuable lesson. He said that he would be using public transport in the future and would not be drinking and driving again.

The case has highlighted the dangers of drink driving and the importance of knowing your limits. Anyone who is planning to drink alcohol should make arrangements for a designated driver or plan to use public transport.