Highway to the danger zone
Arsenal defender Andre Santos was on Wednesday arrested for dangerous driving. The Brazilian, 29, was apprehended by officers who noticed a car being driven erratically. He drove at a speed of upto 130 mph as police closed in a high-speed chase. HT recaps instances of driving offences by sportspersons:
Arsenal defender Andre Santos was on Wedn-esday arrested for dangerous driving. The Brazilian, 29, was apprehended by officers who noticed a car being driven erratically. He drove at a speed of upto 130 mph as police closed in a high-speed chase. HT recaps instances of driving offences by sportspersons:
When footballers broke the road rules:
Tony Adams (Arsenal FC) drunk driving in 1990.Callum Flanagan & Mads Timm (Manchester United) dangerous driving (both were involved in street racing) in March 2005.Lee Hughes (West Bromwich Albion) death caused by dangerous driving, November 2003.Jermaine Pennant (Birmingham City FC) drunk driving while being banned, January 2005Patrick Kluivert (AFC Ajax) causing death by dangerous driving, 1995. The Dutchman was charged of ‘manslaughter’ and received community service and a driving ban.Mario Balotelli (Manchester City) parking fines worth £10,000, April 2011
Other athletes and their brushes with traffic law
LeBron JamesLeBron James was charged for over-speeding and fined $259. The incident happened on his 23rd birthday, when he was caught doing 101 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone.
Arjun AtwalThe Indian golfer was reportedly involved in a high-speed street race that ended in a fatal crash near Orlando, Florida in March, 2007. Atwal was not injured in the accident but the other driver, John Noah Park, 48, died at a hospital. No charges were filed against Atwal.
Tiger woodsIn November 2009, Woods lost control of his car and crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. He was charged with careless driving and served a $164 fine for the same. And it all went downhill from there.
Mike TysonTyson was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in December 2006. The boxer was sentenced to 24 hours in jail, 360 hours community service and 3 years probation. He did not serve a prison sentence as he was being treated for a drug problem.
Lewis HamiltonHamilton was charged of 'reckless driving' ahead of the 2010 Australian Grand Prix. His car was impounded by the police for 48 hours after he was caught “deliberately losing traction” and “accelerating heavily” through the streets near the Albert Park racing track.
MohammAd samiAn FIR was filed against the Pakisatani fast bowler for damage due to rash driving in May this year. Farrukh Illyas Cheema, from Gulberg (Pakistan), claimed his car was dented by Sami in an accident and the cricketer, despite promising, had failed to pay for damages.