PROMOTION What is the law concerning drug driving? Matthew Miller, solicitor and managing director of Kenway Miler, Cheshire's longest established firm specialising in motoring offences, sheds light on the law conceming drug driving Q: KENWAY MILLER IS CELEBRATING ITS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, HOW HAS THE FIRM CHANGED IN THAT TIME? Q: WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR GETTING CAUGHT? Ifa blood sample has been taken and the analysis Before drug driving limits were introduced in 2015, most of our cases were focused around speeding and other minor motoring offences. We still deal with these matters but, now I spend most of my time dealing with offences of driving in excess of the limit for drugs carried out on behalf of the police is reported as being over the limit, a court prosecution will almost always folow, Upon conviction for driving in excess of the limit, the minimum perlod of disqualification is 12 months. In the most serious cases where there are aggravating circumstances, a custodial sentence may be imposed. O: WHAT IS DRUG DRIVING? In 2015 limits were introduced for certain drugs so even a small amount found in a blood specimen will Q: SHOULD SOMEONE CAUGHT DRUG put a driver at risk of being prosecuted even though their driving may have been unaffected. This includes recreational drugs such as THC (ihe psychoactive compound within cannabis) and some prescription drugs such as diazepam, lunitrazepam and clonazepam. DRIVING EMPLOY A SPECIALIST SOLICITOR? O: HOW LOW ARE THE LIMITS? The limits have been set very low for recreational drugs such as THC and cocaine. These drugs can stay in the body for several days, long after the effects have worn off. The limits have been set higher for prescription drugs but if the prescribed dose is exceeded there will A conviction for being above the prescribed limit can have long-term detrimental consequences which may be felt long after the disqualification has been served. If you've been charged, it is always a good idea to obtain advice from a solicitor before deciding what to do. The laws surrounding drug driving are not straightforward. A defence relating to the procedures followed by the police, the handling of the specimen taken by the police or the reliability of the analysis may apply. As specialists in this area of the law, we can advise you about the likelihood of beingable to defend the charge successfully. be a significant risk of being accused of being over the limit. Always check whether or not you should be driving after takingany prescription merdicine - and ensure you have a full understanding of any limits. KENWAY MILLER SOLICITORS For more information visit drugdrivingsolicitors.co.uk or call 0161 241 3322 PROMOTION What is the law concerning drug driving? Matthew Miller, solicitor and managing director of Kenway Miler, Cheshire's longest established firm specialising in motoring offences, sheds light on the law conceming drug driving Q: KENWAY MILLER IS CELEBRATING ITS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, HOW HAS THE FIRM CHANGED IN THAT TIME? Q: WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR GETTING CAUGHT? Ifa blood sample has been taken and the analysis Before drug driving limits were introduced in 2015, most of our cases were focused around speeding and other minor motoring offences. We still deal with these matters but, now I spend most of my time dealing with offences of driving in excess of the limit for drugs carried out on behalf of the police is reported as being over the limit, a court prosecution will almost always folow, Upon conviction for driving in excess of the limit, the minimum perlod of disqualification is 12 months. In the most serious cases where there are aggravating circumstances, a custodial sentence may be imposed. O: WHAT IS DRUG DRIVING? In 2015 limits were introduced for certain drugs so even a small amount found in a blood specimen will Q: SHOULD SOMEONE CAUGHT DRUG put a driver at risk of being prosecuted even though their driving may have been unaffected. This includes recreational drugs such as THC (ihe psychoactive compound within cannabis) and some prescription drugs such as diazepam, lunitrazepam and clonazepam. DRIVING EMPLOY A SPECIALIST SOLICITOR? O: HOW LOW ARE THE LIMITS? The limits have been set very low for recreational drugs such as THC and cocaine. These drugs can stay in the body for several days, long after the effects have worn off. The limits have been set higher for prescription drugs but if the prescribed dose is exceeded there will A conviction for being above the prescribed limit can have long-term detrimental consequences which may be felt long after the disqualification has been served. If you've been charged, it is always a good idea to obtain advice from a solicitor before deciding what to do. The laws surrounding drug driving are not straightforward. A defence relating to the procedures followed by the police, the handling of the specimen taken by the police or the reliability of the analysis may apply. As specialists in this area of the law, we can advise you about the likelihood of beingable to defend the charge successfully. be a significant risk of being accused of being over the limit. Always check whether or not you should be driving after takingany prescription merdicine - and ensure you have a full understanding of any limits. KENWAY MILLER SOLICITORS For more information visit drugdrivingsolicitors.co.uk or call 0161 241 3322