Have You Been Accused Of Drug Driving? Get Free Initial Advice
Have you been accused of drug driving? Penalties for drug driving ranges from a 12 month disqualification to a prison sentence.
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Call 01772 447000 or request a call backWhat are Drugs, Drug Driving Offences and The law ?
On the 2 March 2015, legislation came into force making it illegal to drive with certain levels of drugs in your system. Section 56 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 inserted s.5A into the Road Traffic Act 1988 making it an offence to drive with a blood concentration in excess of a specified limit for a specified controlled drug.
Following the introduction of the new laws, there have been practical problems for the police and CPS. Many police forces still do not have the required drug kits for roadside use and many police officers have never been trained to conduct the correct procedures. The outcome is the creation of a serious offence that isn’t being correctly enforced, investigated or prosecuted. This can be used to your advantage.
Even a basic understanding of the new law can help you avoid a conviction.
Drug Driving Penalties:
- 12 Month Minimum Disqualification
- An Unlimited Fine
- Up To 6 Month Prison Sentence
- A Criminal Record
Table of Drug Driving Limits
| ‘Illegal’ drugs (‘accidental exposure’ – zero tolerance approach) | Threshold limit in blood | |
| benzoylecgonine (ecgonine benzoate)[main metabolite of cocaine] | 50µg/L | |
| cocaine | 10µg/L | |
| delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (cannabis) | 2µg/L | |
| ketamine | 20µg/L | |
| lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) | 1µg/L | |
| methylamphetamine (Crystal Meth) | 10µg/L | |
| Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) | 10µg/L | |
| 6-monoacetylmorphine (Heroin) | 5µg/L | |
| ‘Medicinal’ drugs (risk based approach) | Threshold limit in blood | |
| amphetamine (regulations were recently laid with the proposed limit and expected to come into force after 2 March 2015) | 250µg/L | |
| clonazepam | 50µg/L | |
| diazepam | 550µg/L | |
| flunitrazepam | 300µg/L | |
| lorazepam | 100µg/L | |
| methadone | 500µg/L | |
| morphine | 80µg/L | |
| oxazepam | 300µg/L | |
| temazepam | 1,000µg/L |
How Long Do Drugs Stay in Your System?
The time required for each type of drug to leave your system varies greatly depending upon several factors including the amount and specific type of exact drug consumed, how it is taken, the biological makeup of the user and consumption of other substances (such as alcohol) at the same time.
The government has intentionally not provided any guidance for drug detection times. While absorption rate will vary greatly from person to person due to your height, weight and metabolic rate, approximate times needed for your body to flush each drug type are indicated below.
| Typical Time Limits for Commonly Used Drugs | ||
| Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannibinol – Cannabis | 48 – 72 hours (Up To 10 Weeks for Chronic Users | |
| Cocaine | 12 – 72 Hours | |
| Methylenedioxymethamphetamine – MDMA | 24 – 96 Hours | |
| 6-Monoacetylmorphine – Heroin | 48 – 120 Hours | |
| Ketamine | 48 – 96 Hours | |
| Lysergic Acid Diethylamide – LSD | 24 – 72 Hours | |
| Methylamphetamine – Crystal Meth | 24 – 96 Hours |
If you have been charged with drug driving, speak to us on 01772 447000 or reach out to us on our 7 day a week WhatsApp helpline 07869760533.
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