Grays lorry driver flipped HGV while over drug limit

The incident happened shortly before 5pm on September 2, on the A1089 Dock Approach Road in Grays, where police found a lorry overturned. Officers who attended the scene spoke with the driver, who was being treated by paramedics at the time. Although he passed a roadside breath test, he failed a drug wipe, which tested positive for cocaine.[1]

He was taken to hospital, where a blood sample was taken for further analysis. The driver was later identified as Shane Houghton, 32, of Thames Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire. Analysis of the blood sample[2] confirmed he was almost five times over the legal limit for drugs.

Examination of the vehicle's tachograph revealed it was travelling at around 49mph at the time of the incident. Houghton appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court[3] last Monday (April 13), where he admitted drug driving. He was given a two-year driving ban, 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay court costs.

The matter has also been referred to the Traffic Commissioner's Office. PC Ben Houghton-Clarke said: "Drug driving is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk. Substance use impairs judgement, slows reaction times and significantly reduce a driver's ability to control a vehicle - particularly something as large and heavy as an HGV.

"Drivers under the influence are far more likely to be involved in serious or fatal collisions, and the consequences can be devastating not only for them, but for other road users who have done nothing wrong.

"We will continue to take robust action against anyone who chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired.

If you take drugs, do not drive - it really is that simple."

References

1. ^ which tested positive for cocaine. (www.echo-news.co.uk)
2. ^ blood sample (www.echo-news.co.uk)
3. ^ Southend Magistrates' Court (www.echo-news.co.uk)