Man Jailed For Reversing Lorry Wrong Way Down M6 Toll

14 April 2016, 19:31 | Updated: 14 April 2016, 19:32

A man's been jailed for six months after he reversed down the M6 Toll in Staffordshire.

CCTV charts the faltering and dangerous progress of Czech man Frantisek Formanek as he wove across the M6 Toll in Staffordshire just before 11.25pm on March 1.

Fellow lorry drivers were forced to veer out of the 56-year-old's way, flashing their lights, as he backed up 800 metres in the wrong direction on the northbound side of the motorway at Norton Canes.

The video has been released by Staffordshire Police after Formanek was jailed for six months for dangerous driving, and four months for being drunk at the wheel - to be served concurrently.

He was also banned for 12 months and will have to take a test to get his licence back.

Formanek pleaded guilty to both charges before being sentenced at Stafford Crown Court last month.

His employers, the logistics firm Eddie Stobart, issued a statement through the police saying the driver had been immediately sacked after his driving came to light.

Formanek was arrested at the scene and later found to be more than twice the legal limit for alcohol in his breath.

Chief Inspector Jed White, of the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), said: "On this occasion this driver was clearly putting lives at risk, including his own.''

James Hodson, of the M6 Toll's operator Midland Expressway, added: "We fully support the sentence imposed by the court for this dangerous behaviour.''

He went on: "M6 Toll control room operators continuously monitor the motorway with CCTV cameras and work closely with CMPG to ensure the appropriate response.''

David Pickering, Eddie Stobart chief operating officer, said: "Following a very swift internal investigation into this incident, the driver was identified as part of our European operation on a delivery from the Czech Republic to the UK.

"He was immediately dismissed.

"We have fully supported the CMPG in their investigation and completely endorse their quick and decisive action in response to this individual's appalling and criminal actions.''