A motorist was three times over the legal drink-drive limit when he ploughed through a central reservation and hit an oncoming car, a court heard.
Stephen Pilsworth was ordered to do 240 hours community work after the smash on the A614 at Arnold.
He escaped without injury, but the other motorist needed physiotherapy for a sprained neck following the incident on December 21, said Margaret Martin, prosecuting.
A 32-month driving ban was imposed on the 45-year-old, of Canonbie Close, Arnold. He admitted driving with 131 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Nottingham magistrates heard that he was driving a green Ford Puma on Lime Lane and was approaching the A614.
"His vehicle continued across the central reservation and struck an oncoming vehicle, a silver Skoda," said Mr Martin.
"He was seen in the driver's seat trying to restart the vehicle until someone removed the keys. Police then arrived.
"He got out and was dazed. He failed the roadside breath test."
When questioned by police, Pilsworth said he "mistakenly thought the lights were green".
David Hallmark, mitigating, said Pilsworth had just returned from a charity trip to Thailand "rescuing abused elephants". He had got his driving licence at the age of 17 and covered 15,000 miles annually in his job.
"He feels a deep and profound remorse," said Mr Hallmark. "Alcohol caused him to misjudge the traffic sequence of the lights. If there had been excessive speed, one can imagine the other driver and he could have been seriously injured.
"It is fair to say speed was not a contributory factor. Alcohol caused this and it goes without saying that this was a very high reading.
"This was a one-off. There is not a pattern of drink-driving and he is very sorry."
Presiding magistrate John Bastow told Pilsworth: "We are aware you are extremely remorseful for what you have done. Also you were of previous good character.
"You caused injuries in the other driver which, while not as serious as they might have been, were still substantial."
Pilsworth was put on probation for a year. He must pay £85 prosecution costs and a £60 government surcharge.
