‘Skilled’ drunk driver acquitted

A MAN convicted of drunk driving has been acquitted by the Murcia Provincial Court, following his appeal, thanks to his “skilled driving” while fleeing police. The Provincial Court said they found it “illogical” that someone who was supposedly inebriated was able to perform “complicated maneuvers with such skill”.

This overturns a previous conviction by the Penal Court which imposed a €1,080 fine, suspended his driving license for a year and 33 days of community service.

On April 8 last year, Local Police in Murcia were doing a routine check when the man tried to escape at high speed.

During the two kilometer chase, he passed through several red lights and conducted all kinds of evasive maneuvers including skidding on the curves and even making hand-brake turns.

Finally the driver stopped and submitted to two breathalyzer tests which were 0.45 and 0.43 grams of alcohol per litre of blood.

The legal limit is 0.25 grams and above 0.60 grams is considered a crime.

Police officers initially claimed that the driver had slurred speech and failed coordination tests, although during the appeal one of the officers admitted that the accused was actually able to speak coherently.