Would normally just include this in the existing thread on the subject, but because of the amount of photos etc...
Eighth taxi driver in eight days tests positive for cocaine as police issue stark warninghttps://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... s-15392609Drivers have even tested positive while carrying customers - here's why the crime is SO dangerousAn eighth private hire driver in as many days has tested positive for cocaine on Merseyside's roads - prompting police to issue a stern warning.
Drug driving is becoming a growing problem among Merseyside's taxi and private hire drivers, and follows the news earlier this week that more than 40 have been arrested for the crime since January.
Tweeting about the latest incident on Thursday evening, the force's Roads Policing Unit warned: "Please get the message that it's not acceptable, you will be caught, you will be arrested and we will take you off the road."
An eighth private hire driver in as many days has tested positive for cocaine on Merseyside's roads - prompting police to issue a stern warning.
Drug driving is becoming a growing problem among Merseyside's taxi and private hire drivers, and follows the news earlier this week that more than 40 have been arrested for the crime since January.
Tweeting about the latest incident on Thursday evening, the force's Roads Policing Unit warned: "Please get the message that it's not acceptable, you will be caught, you will be arrested and we will take you off the road."
Merseyside Police Road Policing Unit: "Yet another private hire driver stopped and tested positive for cocaine. 8 in 8 days! Please get the message that it's not acceptable, you will be caught, you will be arrested and we will take you off the road."A report from the courts said the unnamed driver had cocaine, Benzoylecgonine (a compound tested for in cocaine urinalyses), and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (a compound common in cannabis) in his system when he was stopped back in June.
The amount of Benzoylecgonine in his blood was 16 times above the "specified limit", the tweet said.
Merseyside Police Road Policing Unit: "The Court result is back for this private hire driver stopped in June. He was over the limit for 3 drugs whilst he had a paying fare in the vehicle! He has now lost his driving licence before being involved in a serious collision."It added: "He has now lost his driving licence before being involved in a serious collision."
Also this week, the force tweeted about a driver arrested last month whose forensic results came back showing him to be over the limit for cocaine.
Merseyside Police Road Policing Unit: "The forensic results for this private hire driver arrested in October are back and show him to be over the limit for cocaine. Court date now awaits. Likely to mean the end of his driving licence and his job just before Christmas."It said: "Court date now awaits. Likely to mean the end of his driving licence and his job just before Christmas."
Merseyside Police Inspector Keith Kellett told the ECHO this week it was a "disappointing" trend.
Insp Kellett said "most people" on Merseyside drive responsibly, and are aware of the serious consequences being under the influences of drink or drugs can have.
He added: “Merseyside’s taxi and private hire drivers are extremely important members of the community and most offer a reputable and safe service getting you from point A to B. A minority of these drivers however, have broken their position of trust by driving whilst taking drugs, something that cannot be taken lightly."
Drug driving - the factsWhy is drug driving so dangerous? Aside from being illegal, the influence of drugs can "seriously affect your driving", and increase the danger of having an accident.
It can mean many effects including slower reaction times, blurred vision, increased risk-taking and not being able to judge speeds or distances.
Police have warned that taking drugs and driving could result in people losing their job, being imprisoned and even them or someone else dying.
Merseyside Police Inspector Keith Kellett said: “Drug driving is a serious offence and leaves our communities vulnerable. All motorists have a duty of care to themselves, those they are travelling with and other road users which is why it is particularly important that taxi drivers and private hire companies consider the risks they may be putting themselves and others in if they’re found to be driving whilst using drugs."
What are the consequences? Driving, or attempting to drive, whilst over the limit or while under the influence of drugs will result in loss of your licence and a ban, a fine of up to £5,000, a criminal record for a minimum 20 years, an offence which stays on your licence for 11 years and the potential loss of your vehicle.
Causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs will result in a maximum 14-year jail sentence and a minimum 2-year driving ban.
Insp Kellett added: "Any driver involved in a road traffic collision, or who commits a traffic offence, can expect to be breathalysed, and may be required to perform an impairment test.
"The current drug driving legislation makes the process of prosecuting drug drivers much simpler and our rates of prosecution are high. Our message to those drivers would be don’t risk it. The consequences of being caught can be long-lasting and life-changing."
What happens to taxi and private hire drivers caught drug driving? For taxi and private hire drivers, councils decide whether to issue or revoke licences, and Wirral council policy governing conduct is very clear on the matter.
It says: "Licence holders who commit an act of, or are being investigated for an allegation of, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or where a licence holder has been disqualified from driving as a result of such an offence will generally have their licence revoked with immediate effect."
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