A motorist has been arrested after allegedly driving the wrong way down a Murcia motorway while more than four times over the legal alcohol limit.
The Guardia Civil said the driver travelled for around one kilometre against the flow of traffic on the RM-1 motorway, which links Murcia with San Javier, creating a serious danger for other road users.
The incident happened in the early hours near San Javier, when several motorists reported a car heading towards Murcia in lanes reserved for traffic travelling towards San Javier.
Traffic patrols were sent to the area and activated the standard emergency protocol for wrong-way driving incidents. Officers intercepted the vehicle near the roundabout by Los Arcos Hospital, preventing a possible crash.
The driver was breathalysed and returned positive readings of 1.03mg and 1.00mg of alcohol per litre of breath, more than four times the permitted limit.
Officers also found the man had previous offences for similar road safety crimes, including a previous arrest for driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
The driver has been arrested on suspicion of two road safety offences: driving while over the alcohol limit and reckless driving with manifest disregard for the lives of others.
Under Spain’s Penal Code, driving with an alcohol level above the legal threshold can carry a prison sentence of three to six months, a fine, and a driving ban of between one and four years. Reckless driving can carry a prison sentence of six months to two years and a driving ban of between one and six years.
The Guardia Civil has reminded drivers not to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs and urged the public to use the AlertCops app to report emergencies quickly and directly to Spanish security forces.
