An HGV driver has been banned for a total of four years after the police stopped him for using his mobile phone at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt – and then he tested positive for cocaine.
Mark Waters, 28, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court earlier this month and pleaded guilty to all three offences.
He was initially given a three-year driving disqualification, a 12-month community order with 100 hours unpaid work and told to pay £154 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.
The driver was spotted behind the wheel of an Iveco on the A31 in St Leonards on 29 March with a mobile phone held up to his ear.
The police followed him and saw he was also not wearing a seatbelt.
He was subsequently stopped by officers and a roadside drug test was carried out.
The driver tested positive for having cocaine in his system and was arrested and taken to custody.
Dorset police said analysis of his blood found benzoylecgonine – a metabolite of cocaine – present at more than 300 micrograms per litre, six times above the specified limit.
It added that following consultation with the traffic commissioner, Waters had his HGV licence revoked for a further year on top of his three-year ban and will be unable to reapply until July 2029.
The defendant was also issued £1,100 in fixed penalty notices due to a number of tachograph breaches, including driving without a tachograph card, failing to maintain records, insufficient rest and driving period too long.
Police Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the roads policing team, said: “This month, as part of a national campaign we are putting the spotlight on the biggest killers on the roads in Dorset, known as the fatal five.
“The fatal five includes drink and drug driving, excessive and inappropriate speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driver distractions such as using a mobile phone and dangerous or careless driving.
“The defendant in this case was committing three of the five fatal five offences, putting not only himself but other road users in serious danger.
“Through our proactive enforcement activity, we were able to prevent a collision from occurring and ensured this motorist was taken off the roads.
“We want to remind everyone to always take the time to perform safe manoeuvres, do not get distracted by your mobile phone, keep within the speed limits, always wear a seatbelt and do not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” he added.
