Driver falls asleep on motorway for 20 minutes

A man has been convicted of dangerous driving after his own dashcam proved he fell asleep at the wheel for 20 minutes on a motorway.

Maldini Fernandes was travelling at up to 100mph on the M4 in Berkshire when he fell asleep at about 01:00 GMT on 18 January.

The car rolled to a stop between Junction 9 for Maidenhead and Junction 11 for Reading and sat in an active lane while other vehicles soared past.

The 31-year-old, from Southall in London, admitted at Slough Magistrates' Court to dangerous driving and failing to provide an evidential sample of breath in custody. He was given prison term of 30 weeks, suspended for 12 months, and banned from driving for three years.

Officers were initially alerted to the incident by members of the public and National Highways.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: "Thankfully, on this occasion no one was seriously injured or killed.

"If you're driving while tired, please take a break."

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