It was reported on independent.ie that JPR Williams, the legendry Welsh and Lions full-back, bet his bottom dollar, well a few pennies anyway, that he could fool the police who had stopped him for suspected drink driving by sucking on a few copper coins. This popular myth has no scientific backup and it has more chance of rotting the enamel off your teeth than anything else.
After failing one test earlier that day Williams (61) an orthopaedic surgeon was stopped again after a car similar to his red Audi was reported stolen. A blood sample after the second test showed 142 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The UK legal limit is 80 milligrams.
Williams, who was appointed MBE for services to sport, was fined £380 with £100 costs and banned from driving for 17 months. The larger than life rugby legend was an iconic hero to many young rugby enthusiasts and grew up as part of a golden generation of Welsh rugby stars. He is still a very popular personality on the after dinner speech circuit. But he won’t be able to talk his way out of this one.
You would imagine that being a doctor he would have known better but JPR gambled on a myth and in a desperate punt – he put his money where his mouth is. Never, ever drink and drive. It’s the only true way to pass a breathalyzer and arrive home safely. If you need more proof than that, don’t forget to watch the second part of the AXA sponsored road safety series ‘Impact’ presented by Gay Byrne on TV3 this Monday at 9pm.
Sponsored by AXA Car Insurance.
Related blog: AXA sponsors “Impact”, a new Road Safety Awareness documentary series on TV3