An off-duty police officer has been widely praised for pulling over a ‘dangerous’ drunk van driver on the M40 on his way home from work.

The Thames Valley motorcyclist spotted the suspicious van undertaking cars on the hard shoulder to avoid traffic on Monday, February 27, police said.

After the motorist was pulled over, he claimed he was “trying out his new van” but it was found he was three times above the legal drink driving limit and had wet himself.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Roads Policing shared the story online, writing: “Police motorcyclist #P3125 from #TMCshift was already late finishing his shift today when he was traveling back to home station when this van in front of him has driven from lane three over to the hard shoulder and has undertaken a number of vehicles to avoid the traffic.

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“[The driver] thought this was acceptable driving. The officer did not!

"The driver stated that he was trying his new van out. The new van he had already wet himself in, in the driver’s seat.

"The driver was slurring his words so was breath tested and blew 90ug three times the legal limit at the road side.

“Once arrested the driver proceeded to blame the officer that his life was ruined now, and that he was going to lose his job. However, seemed unable to comprehend he is the architect of his own misfortune.

“He was rightly taken to the police station where he provided an evidential breath of 74ug more than double the limit.

"The driver will be charged and face telling the magistrates why he thought this was acceptable behaviour in the M40 in the middle of rush hour.

“He will face a ban keeping the public safe from such selfish behaviour.

"Even if it means finishing late and not getting home as early as we’d like we are committed to targeting those that put others’ lives at risk on the roads.”

The post attracted more than 600 likes and dozens of comments from grateful members of the public.

One man wrote: “This is why traffic policing should be increased. Cameras don’t detect any of this.”

One person said: “Great policing, thank you for keeping  us all safe.”

While another added: “Well done, Another potentially serious accident halted, great stuff.”