Drivers on drugs: readers have their say

Police stopped the car on the A34 near Oxford in the afternoon following information reported to them.

The driver tested positive for the drug after his car was stopped on Wednesday and was arrested and taken to custody at the police station where he was asked to provide a blood sample for analysis.

Thames Valley Police officers tweeted: “Following information received we stopped a vehicle on the A34 near Oxford this afternoon.

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“Driver failed the drugs wipe with a positive indication for cannabis and was arrested and processed through custody where he provided a blood sample for analysis. #P6874 #P0177 #oxoncshift.”

If you’re convicted of drug driving you’ll get:

1: an unlimited fine

2: up to six months in prison

3: a criminal record.

Your driving licence will also show you have been convicted for drug driving. This will last for 11 years.

The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

There are also other problems you could face

A conviction for drug driving also means your car insurance costs will increase significantly.

And if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence

You may have trouble travelling to countries like the United States.

DENNIS CANDLISH: “My grandad said to me “assume every other driver is an idiot.”

MARIA KIGOZI: During my driving lessons my driving structor used to tell me , that everytime am on the road I should assume all other drivers are either high on drugs or alchol. And am the only sobber one so i shld be extra careful when driving. Will never forget.”

CHANTELLE CAMERON: “Maria Kigozi -I never thought of thinking like that. It’s good. I’m never scared of my driving it’s other people.”

KONSTANTINOS: ROSSIS: “Maria Kigozi do you know how many people drive high?”

“You can’t even imagine on opposite side driving drunk its lethal

WIKTORIA STANIEK: “I heard the same but in other words.

“Mine said ‘think like all other drivers found their licence in pack of cereal and you are the one who is intelligent and think for them.”

On Sunday, a man was arrested after a cyclist died in a collision with a van on a dual carriageway.

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Police were called shortly before 8.15pm on Sunday to the A4130 westbound between Lower Assendon and Bix, near Henley.

The 45-year-old Henley-on-Thames man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The van driver, a 57-year-old man from Wallingford, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug driving.

He has been released while inquiries continue.

Police are appealing for witnesses and drivers with dashcam footage to contact them.

Thames Valley Police said the victim of the crash was cycling along the dual carriageway section of the A4130.

Both the cyclist and van were travelling westbound towards Bix.

Each December Thames Valley Police run a campaign to clamp down on drink and drug drivers.

Drivers across the Thames Valley are stopped at the roadside by officers to ensure they are not over the limit or drug driving.

Sgt Scott Kerr, road safety officer for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police, said in December: “This year, with the restrictions imposed by the Government as a result of the pandemic, it is important that if you drink at home it is done sensibly and responsibly. In licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants, they serve measured amounts of alcohol.

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“However, at home it is unlikely that you measure exactly how much alcohol you pour into a glass. It is crucial to think about the morning after. It can take hours for alcohol to leave your system after drinking, so the next morning it still may not be safe for you to drive. Additionally, some drugs can stay in your system for a considerable amount of time too. Our message is simple: Don’t drink or drug drive – It’s not worth the risk.”