Drug Driving Defence Lawyers
The UK government has been cracking down on drug driving in recent years, and as a result, we’re seeing more people being charged with “driving when unfit.” This is a broad law that’s open to interpretation and is often used to charge drivers who are within the legal requirements of alcohol consumption yet still have alcohol in their system. It’s also the law that applies to drug use while driving, including prescription drugs.
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How Drug Driving Arrest Charges Work
Police officers have the power to stop anyone on the road if they believe that you’ve committed a traffic offence or that you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While in some cases police act on “giveaways,” such as the dilation of pupils, in most cases they make stops due to a judgement on the quality of driving.
Police conduct roadside tests to assess the level of the driver’s impairment. The tests carried out for suspected drug driving are similar to those for drunk driving. They can be the One Leg Stand Test, Romberg Test, or Finger to Nose Test; essentially anything that tests your physical and mental capacities.
The police have plans to introduce the drug equivalent of the breathalyser, but for now, they use these roadside tests to determine whether you should be arrested and taken to the police station. If you are, more accurate tests will be carried out to determine the level of impairment.
What is the drug driving limit?
The “drug driving limit” depends on the drug in question, with each having its own threshold. However, all drugs do have one similarity: the thresholds are set extremely low, so in effect, virtually any level of drug in your system can constitute a drug driving charge. It’s important to keep in mind that these limits do not only apply to illegal drugs. Prescribed drugs fall under these laws, too, so it’s highly important to check with your doctor before operating a vehicle.
Drug Driving Sentencing Guidelines
The consequences of drug driving vary from case to case. Normally, first-time offenders can expect to get a minimum 12-month driving ban, a fine, and a criminal record if they’re found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs. However, new guidelines recommend that drug drivers receive a custodial sentence of 12 weeks in cases where there is obvious evidence of impairment.
What to do following a drug driving charge?
If you’ve been arrested for drug driving, then it’s important to get in contact with a solicitors firm that has experience in dealing with such cases. Here at JD Solicitors, we have a proven track of helping people who have been charged with drug driving retain their licence and stay on the roads. Whatever level of charge you’re facing, we’ll be happy to discuss the next steps with you.
Ready to launch your defence? You can get in touch with us by calling a member of our team at 0121 674 4100 or by sending an email to info@jd-solicitors.co.uk.
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