Magistrates in Workington have heard how a 46-year-old man crashed his works vehicle after pulling out at a junction while drug driving under the influence of cocaine.
The court heard that the incident took place on August 20 on the A66 at the Portinscale junction near Keswick, Cumbria.
The defendant pulled out of the junction, however, his view was obstructed by a bus, leading him to pull into the path of an oncoming vehicle, colliding with it almost head-on.
A breath test and drug swipe following the accident tested positive for cocaine, leading to his arrest and subsequent evidential testing at the police station. He was found to have 276mg benzoylecgonine – a by-product of cocaine use – per litre of blood. The legal limit for drug driving is 50mcg.
Defending, Mike Woolaghan said: “He’s indicating to turn right towards Penrith. There’s a bus pulling into Portinscale. He saw the bus indicating and turning in.
“The defendant approaches. There’s nothing coming on the left. He can pull out. It’s the sort of thing we all do.
“Unfortunately, there is a vehicle passing. He simply didn’t see the vehicle. It’s a momentary lapse of concentration.
“The cocaine had been consumed some days prior. It’s the sort of accident that happens with some regularity.”
After hearing a guilty plea to drug driving and driving without due care and attention, magistrates banned the man from driving for 12 months and imposed a one-year community order with 40 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
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