Michael Ellul, 34, of Greene Close, Newport, was disqualified from driving for four years at a hearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on December 14. He has also been fined £500, required to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and court costs of £85. At around 3am on September 27, Ellul was travelling westbound on the M4 between junction 16 for Swindon West and junction 17 for Chippenham when he crashed into a heavy goods vehicle. He was a provisional licence holder at the time and admitted to using a mobile phone while driving. He also blew 58 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath while in custody, above the legal limit. There were fortunately no injuries. PC James Barrett of the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) said: “Ellul risked both his and other drivers’ lives through his actions and it is incredibly fortunate that there were no injuries. “There is never any excuse for either drink-driving or using a mobile phone while driving. “If you have been drinking, always arrange another way to make your journey – it doesn’t matter how well you know the roads, it’s not worth the risk.” This month, Wiltshire Police are running an operation targeting drink and drug drivers over the festive period. Our RPU is stepping up patrols, working closely with partner agencies from the Road Safety Partnership, to target those who fail to abide by the law. Officers from RPU will also be out and about in the community for a number of interactive sessions in various town centres to explain the dangers of drink and drug driving. For more information, visit Operation targeting drink and drug drivers over the festive period begins | Wiltshire Police.
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