A driver traveling 25 kilometers in reverse on AP-9 is under investigation by the A Coruña Civil Guard Traffic Group Sub-Sector. The driver tested positive for alcohol, and authorities noted the presence of a controlled substance after notifying 112 for a roadside drug test.
The sequence of events began when the vehicle caused an incident while moving in the wrong direction along the highway. It was heading toward Tui and reached the toll area, where the motorist reportedly lacked funds to cover the charges. After stopping for a few minutes, the driver executed a U-turn and continued from the sixteenth kilometer of the same highway, now traveling toward A Coruña but in lanes designated for the opposite travel direction toward Tui.
According to the Civil Guard, the same driver subsequently covered 25 kilometers in the wrong direction before re-entering the toll area at Macedonia and stopping again. He then requested a traffic patrol to attend for breathalyzer testing, having already contacted emergency services. The highway control center’s cameras tracked the offender and confirmed the route, allowing the A Coruña Traffic Subsector to apply the standard protocol for this scenario.
Breathalyzer results showed readings of 0.63 and 0.58 milligrams per liter of exhaled air. Although there was no laboratory confirmation at the time, these values indicated intoxication and suggested the presence of cocaine in the driver’s system. The incident prompted an official investigation into possible crimes against road safety. The driver was brought to trial and faced penalties, including a potential prison sentence of up to two years, depending on judicial proceedings and findings.
Authorities stressed that driving in reverse on a major highway creates extreme risk for all users, and routine procedures were followed to ensure public safety. The case illustrates the law enforcement response to impaired driving, the use of breathalyzers on the spot, and the importance of timely reporting to emergency services. It also highlights how traffic cameras and centralized control centers help trace dangerous maneuvers and reinforce accountability for traffic violations. As investigators continue to review evidence and conduct additional tests, the public is reminded to avoid driving under the influence and to report suspicious behavior to authorities immediately. (Source: Civil Guard)