A drug driver, who was tested and found to 79 times over the drug-drive limit, has received a three year driving ban after being involved in a motorway crash.
In August, Lee Ainsworth from Hampshire was found guilty at Basingstoke magistrates court of driving while unfit through drink or drugs. He also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.
The driver was in charge of a Ford Focus which crashed into the back of a Jaguar car on the M3 motorway in April this year. Ainsworth’s passenger suffered minor injuries, as did the driver and passenger in the Jaguar.
Toxicology tests revealed that the level of benzoylecgonine in his body at the time was 79 times over the specified concentration allowed in law for that substance. Benzoylecgonine is the metabolised form of cocaine.
Cocaine, in the form of Benzoylecgonine, is one of 17 prescription and illegal drugs that are regulated under drug driving regulations, introduced in March 2015.
Hampshire Police, who caught the driver, were “truly shocked” when they received the test results. The level was one of the highest readings the police force has ever seen. They stated that it was sheer luck that nobody was killed or more seriously injured in the incident.
The driver was sentenced to a 12 month community order, banned from driving for three years and required to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
Drug Testing – Are You Over the Drug-Drive Limit?
A device called a drugalyser is used by police to carry out roadside drug testing. This type of drug screen takes a swab of saliva which is then analysed at the roadside.
Individuals who have concerns about drug driving can self test to confirm if they are, or are not, not over the drug-drive limit. Many companies now carry out random drug tests to make sure that employees are fit to drive company vehicles.
A 7 Drug Saliva Test Kit from Zoom Testing will screen for most of the drugs that are regulated by drug driving legislation. Benzodiazepines, Cannabis, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamine and Methadone are just some of the illicit substances that can be screened for by this test. Zoom Testing can supply these types of drugs tests to individuals and companies, discreetly and quickly.
Photo Credit: “HX10ENF HAMPSHIRE POLICE” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by eastleighbusman