A MAN has been banned from the roads for almost three years for driving dangerously and drunkenly during the rush hour.

Police on patrol on the A82 Great Western Road on May 2 around 5pm got reports about the manner of driving of a Mazda.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard the car was just past the exit to the Erskine Bridge when police spotted it and put on their blue lights and sirens. They signalled for the driver to pull in, but he continued driving.

When the Mazda pulled into the slip road at Mountblow back on to the A82, they saw it cross the chevrons on the road and then on to a grass verge on the near-side area, colliding with a van with two people inside.

Officers opened the door to the Mazda and removed its keys. They immediately detected a smell of alcohol and saw several bottles of alcohol inside.

Martin Gillespie, of Castlebay Street, Milton, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to having 34mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, over the 22mg limit.

The 37-year-old’s solicitor said his client had been drinking the night before and was still under the influence.

His last conviction was in 2007 and the last similar conviction in 2005.

Sheriff John Hamilton fined Gillespie £500 and banned him for 35 months.