18-07-2025
Driver arrested days after getting licence after being caught speeding on M50
A young motorist was arrested just 17 days after getting their driving license after they were caught speeding on the M50 motorway this week.
Members of Garda Road Policing Unit were on patrol on the M50 on Wednesday evening when they spotted the driver of an Audi A3 travelling 35km/h above the speed limit at around 11.30pm.
Gardai pulled the motorist over to the side of the road and conducted a roadside drugs test, with the rookie driver testing positive for both cocaine and cannabis.
The young driver was arrested at the scene and now faces a day in court.
Posing about the incident on the An Garda Siochana X page, a garda spokesperson said: "About 11:30pm last night, we clocked the young driver of this car travelling 35km/h above the speed limit on the M50. He has held his full driving licence an impressive 17 days.
"When tested on the roadside, he was positive for both cocaine and cannabis so he was arrested."
The driver now faces some hefty fines and a period off the road if convicted.
All drug driving offences carry a period of disqualification. In terms of disqualification periods, for those convicted of the offence of being above the threshold for Cannabis and Cocaine with no proof of impairment necessary by the Gardaí, the disqualification period is not less than one year for the first offence and not less than two years for the second or subsequent offence.
For the existing offence of drug driving while impaired, the penalty or disqualification period is a minimum of four years for a first offence and six years for a second or subsequent offence.
The maximum penalty for all drug driving offences is a €5,000 fine and up to 6 months imprisonment on summary conviction.
Meanwhile motorists who drive over the speed limit will get three penalty points and a fixed charge fine of €160.
If they do not pay the fine within 28 days, it increases to €240. If they do not pay this within 28 days (56 days from the original fine notification date), they will be summonsed to court where, if convicted, they could be fined up to €1,000 and receive up to five penalty points.
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