22/06/2021
Over 20,000 people were charged with driving whilst over the prescribed limit in 2019. Defending these types of charges is one of the busiest areas of our practice. This month alone we have ensured that 14 people have avoided conviction for being in excess of the limit and the minimum 12 -month disqualification that comes with it.
Unlike with drink driving, the vast majority of our clients who have been charged with so called "drug driving" charges were not accused of being impaired as a result of substance misuse. Most of them were unfortunate to be accused of being marginally over one of the limits. These limits are much lower than the level over which scientists have suggested impairment is likely to occur.
The Government has set the limits to drive with THC (cannabis) in blood at 2ug/l, co***ne at 10ug/litre of blood and benzoylecgononine (BZE - breakdown product of co***ne) at 50ug/litre. The limits are much lower than the level recommened by the recommendations of the expert panel's report to the DfT in March 2013. If you are a regular user or of have consumed cannabis within 12 hours of driving you are at risk of being stopped, held in custody and then charged. BZE can be detected in your blood up to 72 hours after co***ne use and the limit is 50ug/l - the expert panel's report of March 2013 recommended a limit of 500ug/l.
If you have been charged with driving whilst over the limit for any drug and need some legal advice visit our website drugdrivingsolicitors.co.uk, leave a contact form or call our office on 0161 241 3322.
Kenway Miller's specialist team of solicitors can help defend you against drug driving offences. Call us today on 0800 4334 678 for free, no obligation advice. Keep your license!
