Robert Beatty, 35, says he phoned 911 because he believed he was a danger on the highway. (CBC)

A Regina man who called 911 to turn himself in for driving drunk has pleaded guilty to impaired driving.

Robert Beatty, 35, was driving to Moose Jaw, Sask., at about 10:30 p.m. on a foggy night in February when he pulled over to the side of the road and called 911, telling dispatchers he was too drunk to drive.

When police arrived on scene, they measured Beatty's blood alcohol at .20. In Saskatchewan, experienced drivers with a blood alcohol level over .04 can be subject to administrative sanctions while those who blow over .08 can face criminal charges.

Beatty entered the guilty plea to an impaired driving charge in court on Monday.

He said calling the police was the best way to stop something bad from happening.

"I'm completely convinced had I continued driving that night, I would have probably killed somebody," he said. "I have no doubt in my mind. I was that inebriated that night."

The judge imposed the minimum penalty, sentencing Beatty to a one-year driving prohibition and a $1,000 fine.