A driver who was almost eight times over the limit was found in a stationary vehicle in the middle of an intersection in Limassol, police said on Saturday.

The 48-year-old driver was spotted at 6.30pm on Friday by members of the Limassol traffic police where Amathountos and Ariadne avenues intersect, sitting in the driver’s seat of a stationary vehicle.

He was given a preliminary alcohol test with a reading of 169μg, whereas the legal limit is 22μg. He was then taken to the Limassol traffic police headquarters where a final alcohol test had reading of 145μg.

The man was arrested and detained for the offences of driving under the influence of alcohol and obstruction of traffic.

He is expected to be charged in writing later on Saturday to be summoned to court at a later date.

Police reiterated to drivers that  driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the main causes of fatal and serious road collisions.

“Substances such as alcohol and drugs contribute to the reduction of mental and psychological effort exerted while driving, as well as to the reduction of the driver’s performance, resulting in an increased risk of being involved in a collision,” it said.