Gardaí have issued another warning over the serious consequences of drug driving following a worrying number of arrests in the past week.
Nine drivers were detected drug driving across the Donegal division since Tuesday 5th May.
Cannabis, cocaine and opiates are among the drugs detected in drivers recently.
In one case, a motorist was stopped at a Covid-19 checkpoint on the Letterkenny to Lifford Road, claiming to have taken a wrong turn on a journey from Co. Down to Bundoran. The driver was arrested for the offence of drug driving after they were found to be under the influence of cannabis and opiates.
Gardaí have today reminded road users of the consequences of a drug driving conviction, should anyone decide to get behind the wheel of a car when under the influence of drugs.
If convicted, a driver will face a minimum period of disqualification for one year. The judge then has the discretion to disqualify for a longer period if they feel it is warranted in the particular circumstances. The Court may also impose a fine of up to €5,000 and or a prison term not exceeding six months.
Garda Spokesperson, Gda Grainne Doherty added that drug drivers are at high risk of being stopped by gardaí due to an increased number of checkpoints across the county.
“More importantly, you are putting everybody else around you on the road at risk. You could seriously hurt somebody, hurt yourself or kill somebody in the worst-case scenario,” Gda Doherty said.