A regional daily’s news editor was more than three times the drink-drive limit when he ploughed into rear of an Audi at 70mph.

During his high-speed journey, York Press news editor and pub columnist Gavin Aitchison (pictured) almost killed a pedestrian, smashed into a motorcyclist and crashed more than once.

Fortunately for all concerned, it was not a drink-fuelled joyride on the real streets of Yorkshire, but a driving simulator designed to show people just how dangerous drink driving can be.

Gavin took part in the experience to see for himself – as a confident driver and self-professed experienced drinker – how he would fare behind the wheel after a few pints.

And the results – recorded in a special feature for the Press – were shocking.

Gavin told HTFP:  “Everyone has heard of the dangers of drink-driving, but trying it first-hand in a safe way gave me a whole new insight into it.

“I expected my driving to get worse after a few drinks, but I was shocked when the police were able afterwards to show me hazards that I had completely missed.

“My ‘drink-driving’ was terrible on the simulator, so it’s shocking to think how bad some of the actual driving seen by officers must be.”

In the feature, he tells how the simulator used by North Yorkshire Police works in two different ways. The first allows the ‘driver’ to don blurred-lens glasses to recreate some of the effects of drink driving.

The second, more authentic, approach allows the driver to give the course a go while sober, then have a drink between each turn to see how the difference as the alcohol takes effect.

Gavin opted for the second choice.

“It is perhaps indicative of the self-confidence that experience gives, that I feared the latter option would fail,” he wrote.

“What if I could still drive perfectly well? What if I had to use the goggles to make this article work, I wondered. The voice of reassurance, even now, told me I could handle my drink then handle a car. How wrong I was.”

York Press news editor and pub columnist Gavin Aitchison gives "drink-driving" a go

Having driven for 13 years without a serious crash, he performed perfectly while sober. But after three pints of beer and a double whiskey – measuring in at three times the legal limit – he failed spectacularly.

“I’ve never driven under the influence but I’m aware of the thought process that tries to legitimise it – the little voice that says it’s only a short journey; that it was only a few pints; that it’s a quiet road you know well. The insidious, ill-informed voice that finds a way to say: “It’ll be fine”,” he said in the piece.

“But then you hear of the consequences. The wreckage; the heartache; the funerals. I can still picture crash-scenes I have reported from where alcohol was a cause. I have interviewed families ripped apart by irresponsible drivers who thought they’d be okay.

“Those who think like that should try the simulator; a stationary machine that lets you drive without going anywhere.

“It’s like a virtual reality computer game, but it exposes Dutch courage and beery bravado for the nonsense they are.”