KEPALA BATAS: A man under the influence of alcohol drove against traffic flow for 25 kilometres from Penang island to Seberang Perai, early today.
The 64-year-old engineer was stopped and arrested by police at the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza on the North-South Expressway (NSE) at 6am, Bernama reported.
Police were alerted to the situation by alarmed motorists who spotted the man as he cruised obliviously along the highway, in a Perodua Myvi, in the wrong direction.
It is understood that the heavily-drunk man was en route from Relau to his hotel at Pulau Tikus – but due to his state of inebriation, he mistakenly crossed the Penang Bridge and drove into the mainland.
It was only when he reached northern Seberang Perai, heading towards Tikam Batu, Kedah – after driving for about 50 kilometres – that the senior citizen realised he had made a mistake. He then simply turned his car around while still on the same side of the highway and drove south in the right lane, against traffic flow.
“Police detained the man at the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza. He claimed he was not aware he was driving against traffic flow, and that he had turned back… to return to his hotel in Pulau Tikus,” said Seberang Perai Utara police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor.
He said preliminary tests found that the man, from Taman Bandar Senawang, Negri Sembilan, was intoxicated with alcohol, and added that further tests – including urine and blood tests – will be conducted to confirm the finding.
Noorzainy added that the man is being detained under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving; and Section 45 (1) of the same act for driving under the influence of alcohol.