An unaccompanied learner driver in East Cork faces court after failing a drug test at a checkpoint
East Cork: A learner driver is in trouble after a checkpoint stop. He was driving alone, which is against the rules. To make matters worse, he failed a roadside drug test. Now, his car is gone, and he faces serious penalties.
At the checkpoint in Midleton, Gardaí found out he was an unaccompanied learner. This means he should have had a qualified driver with him. After failing the drug test, he was arrested, and his car was seized.
Driving unaccompanied can lead to four penalty points and a €160 fine. Not displaying L-plates adds two more points and a €120 fine. If he’s found guilty of drug driving, he could face a €5,000 fine or six months in jail.
In total, he could owe up to €5,280 in fines and lose his driving privileges for months. All this for a quick drive before passing his test. Gardaí took a blood sample for further testing after his arrest.
Gardaí in Midleton said they often see this kind of offense. Just last November, they caught another unaccompanied learner who also failed a drug test. They’re cracking down on these violations.
Recently, Gardaí have been using a ‘stealth truck’ to catch drivers breaking the rules. Earlier this month, they caught drivers using their phones while driving in Cork city. They’re serious about road safety.
In another unusual case, Gardaí seized a quad bike from two 10-year-olds in Mahon. This was the second seizure in two months. Last December, they took scramblers from youths riding them in the area.
