It’s always a bad idea for learners to drive unaccompanied – not to mind when they’re high on illegal substances and carrying even more drugs in their vehicle.
But it’s clear this fledgling driver in Kerry didn’t see any issue when they got behind the wheel after taking cocaine early on Saturday morning. Thankfully, they weren’t on the roads for long before they were flagged down by road policing units as part of a routine checkpoint.
There’s a good chance they had some shoddy excuses ready to explain why they were driving unaccompanied. But there was little to say when their roadside drug test showed they tested positive for cocaine.
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Moreover, things took an even worse turn as they were found with a modest amount of the identical illicit drug – certainly not ideal. As a result, their vehicle was impounded, and they were immediately detained. Additionally, authorities collected a blood sample from the driver for further examination.
This marks quite a dismal beginning for the driver as they now face court over various offenses.
Initially, they face a fine of €160 along with 2 penalty points for driving as an unlicensed learner. In case of conviction for drug driving, they might have to pay a hefty sum of €5000, serve up to six months in prison, and undergo at least a one-year suspension from driving.
In addition to everything else, they might face charges related to possessing a controlled substance, potentially resulting in a penalty of up to €2,500 and a one-year jail term.
This marks the second time this week that a solo learner has been apprehended for endangering other road users, following the arrest of another novice driver earlier in the week.
spotted speeding at 180 km/h in Limerick.
They had similarly neglected to show their L Plates, which unsurprisingly did not sit well with the Gardaí.
