A DRUNK driver who crashed on a country road donned a high-visibility jacket and got out of the car to direct traffic round the accident.

Police arrived at Grove Road, Preston, near Canterbury, to find Geoffrey Howe staggering round the Citroen at just before 4pm on Sunday, June 24.

Magistrates heard that officers suspected the 59-year-old forklift driver of Hoaden, near Ash, was drunk.

Prosecutor Teresa Ruiz said: “He was staggering around the car and his speech was slurred.”

A breath test revealed 108mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Howe admitted drink driving.

Cath Wallen, defending, said Howe had “consumed a large amount of alcohol” the night before and went for lunch at the Grove Ferry pub.

She said: “He says he was not staggering around the car, but realised the position of the vehicle would pose a risk to other road users.

“He put on a high-visibility jacket in order to direct cars around it and to be of assistance before police arrived.”

The magistrates banned Howe from driving for 28 months and ordered him to carry out a 12-month community order with 65 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £60 costs.