Drug Driving

[Hymie]

This news story interested me in that the woman was 4 times over the driving drug limit for cocaine – but only received a years driving ban and a nominal fine.

Had she been 4 times over the drink drive limit – she would have been looking at a far lengthier ban and monetary fine (and possibly jail time).

Never having taken cocaine, I don’t know whether there is a correlation between the amount taken and a persons ability to control a motor vehicle, as with alcohol (which could explain the 1 year ban).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5604807/Sir-Alex-Fergusons-ex-daughter-law-38-banned-driving.html

[ummmm]

Cocaine is a stimulant. No way as dangerous as driving 4 x over the drink drive limit.

[Zacs-Master]

If you don’t know there’s a correlation, why write the second paragraph?

Perhaps do a bit of research first?

[Cloverjo]

Sounds bizarre. Cocaine is an illegal drug, yet there is an allowable limit of driving under its influence?

[Cloverjo]

Ummmm, but cocaine would, I imagine, encourage a person to take risks while driving.

[Zacs-Master]

Strange that the Mail make the claim, when the Govt website states
‘The government is unable to provide any guidance on what amounts of dosage would equate to being over the specified limits. There are too many variables, such as physical characteristics, where each person will metabolise the drug at different rates. Eating or drinking will also have an effect on the blood concentration’

Another fantastic piece of DM journalism designed to appeal to it’s ‘angry of tunbridge wells’ Readers mentality.

[EDDIE51]

She cited 'special reasons' for not being banned .But got a ban any way. We can not know what the 'special reasons' were as the court does not disclose them. But that is likely to be the reason the ban was not longer. You can also avoid a DD ban if you have 'special reasons' for not being given a ban. Common ones are that driving is essential to care for a disabled relative or that it is essential for business and other people's jobs / safety also depend on you being able to drive.

[Hymie]

Ummmm wrote - Cocaine is a stimulant. No way as dangerous as driving 4 x over the drink drive limit.

Then perhaps the cocaine driving limit is too low, if it has very little effect on a persons ability to drive.

[ummmm]

I wouldn't say so, Jo. I think alcohol makes people take more risks.

[ummmm]

There should be a zero tolerance on all drink and drugs (or just a trace to allow for some medications/mouth washes etc)

When you see those police programmes and they do the drug swabs it doesn't matter what level they are at, if they test positive they are arrested. Unlike with alcohol.

[Peter Pedant]

.well it is a newish offence - 2015 - previously driving whilst out of it or something - and I didnt think they would draw parallels to alcohol.
And indeed they dont - this is guidance and not a guideline ( o dear god)

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Drug-driving-guidance-final-1.pdf

and their lordships pussy foot around the issue

[EDDIE51]

^ PP's link shows that the ban was within the provisional guidelines . It did not have any of the factors for a ban of more than one year.

[Peter Pedant]

Hi Ed
Chris seems to know these off by heart...
frankly I would rather ..... well read a copy of the D M

[woofgang]

EDDIE the "special reasons" that you quote are in fact the "exceptional hardship" circumstances which relate to the knock on effects should the accused receive a ban of the normal length. "Special reasons" relate to the actual circumstances of the offence, for instance, the driver had to drive while under the influence because it was the only way to get someone to hospital for emergency treatment.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Has Peter Pedant posted (several times) on this thread without using a favoured term "sozza" in the one context where it might kind of be appropriate?

[EDDIE51]

Woofgang, Yes, I think her 'special reason' for driving was that she was on her way to confront her boyfriend over text messages she had just found. Her argument was that had it not been for finding the messages she would not have driven so did not deserve a ban.

[youngmafbog]

One big difference that seems to be being overlooked.

Alocohol is legal, Cocaine is not.

[jno]

that's a separate issue, though. Just from the point of view of road safety, is one worse than the other?

[youngmafbog]

Jeez spath you do write some rubbish sometimes.

[youngmafbog]

Correct jno, it was aimed at the comment about arresting all cocaine users. I didnt really word it right so appologies.