Drug Driving

The offence of Drug Driving came into law in England on 2 March 2015. Drug driving limits are sets for several drugs and if the quantity of drugs exceeds the maximum limit, a person may face prosecution for drug driving.

A person can face prosecution if they drive, attempt to drive or are in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place with a drug in the body which is more than the prescribed limit.

Controlled Drug                                                  Limit (microgrammes per litre of blood)

Benzoylecgonine                                                                                     50

Clonazepam                                                                                            50

Cocaine                                                                                                   10

Delta -9-tetrahydrocannabiugs                                                                 2

Diazepam                                                                                               550

Flunitrazepam                                                                                         300

Ketamine                                                                                                  20

Lorazepam                                                                                              100

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide                                                                       1

Methadone                                                                                              500

Methylamphetamine                                                                                 10

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine                                                           10

6-Monoacetylmorphine                                                                               5

Morphine                                                                                                    80

Oxazepam                                                                                                 300

Temazepam                                                                                              1000

Amphetamine                                                                                             250

The likely defences are as follows:

 

• The drug had been prescribed or supplied to the driver for medical purposes

 

• The Defendant took the drug in accordance with any directions given by the person by whom the drug was prescribed or supplied, and with any accompanying instructions given by the manufacturer or distributor of the drug, and

 

• The Defendant’s possession of the drug immediately before taking it was not unlawful under section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

The sentencing guidelines provide the following guidance for the sentencing for drug driving:

 

• Minimum disqualification of 12 months

 

• If a person has previously been disqualified for a similar offence in the last 10 years, then the Magistrates’ will give a driving disqualification for at least 3 years.

 

• A defendant could be sent to prison for up to 6 months.

 

Our drug driving solicitors have vast experience of defending motorists within the Courts and often know how to keep any disqualification to a minimum.