Car insurance news

Drunk with no car insurance jailed after roundabout madness

Driving the wrong way around a roundabout whilst tanked-up with alcohol is probably not the best way to get cheap car insurance.

But that's what a 28-year-old Northern Irish man decided to do, and now he's paying the penalty for his madness by serving a 21-month jail term, a five-year driving ban and paying out a £500 fine.

Belfast Crown Court heard that Martin Ward had already been banned for driving for ten years when police spotted his Volkswagen Golf driving through the city in May 2005. Baffled by the deafening noise of his exhaust they started to follow, and upon seeing them, Ward tore off into the distance.

The police turned on their sirens and gave chase, watching in horror as the Golf took one roundabout the wrong way and attempted to do the same at a second. The police were prepared, however, and arrested Ward and took a breath sample. He was found to be 19mg over the legal limit and also provided false details in an attempt to prevent being identified as an already disqualified driver.

Pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol, driving whilst disqualified, having no motor insurance and obstructing a constable, Ward told the court he had realised that "it is time to move on" and his solicitor added that he will have a "new found maturity when released."

Rebecca Pearson, spokeswoman for Duck2Water Car Insurance Services, commented on the case, saying, "Unless he makes a big effort to change his ways, Mr Ward might find it tough to find a cheap car insurance deal when he gets out of prison."