Man from Ware disqualified for drug driving

Hello Resident

A drug driver from Ware has been banned from driving.

Lee Collins, aged 54 of Dellfield, Ware, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Monday 6 July and was disqualified from driving for 16 months. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of cannabis and cocaine.

Collins had been stopped by police on Thursday 8 January in Ermine Street, High Cross. 

Neighbourhood officers, who were on patrol, detected a cannabis smell as Collins drove past in his Mercedes. 

They stopped the vehicle and spoke to Collins, who refused to give a specimen of saliva. He then tried to make off police, resisting arrest.

Collins was safely detained and later charged with driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified drug above the specified limit.

He was given a conditional caution for being in possession of Class A drugs (cocaine) and resisting a constable in execution of their duties. Collins was also ordered to pay back court costs in fines.

Sergeant Dave Miller said: “Drug driving is completely unacceptable and puts everyone using our roads at risk. Collins made the reckless decision to get behind the wheel after taking drugs and then attempted to evade officers when challenged.

“We are committed to taking action against those who choose to drive while impaired and will continue to proactively target offenders to keep our communities safe.

“The message is simple. If you take drugs, don’t drive. You are putting your own life and the lives of others in danger, and you can expect to face serious consequences if caught.”

The biggest risk when driving under the influence of drugs is the risk of causing a collision. Being under the influence of drugs can affect your driving in many ways – from your reaction and co-ordination skills, your ability to judge speed and distance, to blurred or impaired vision and dizziness.

Please do not drive under the influence of drink or drugs, it is not worth the risk. Our Road Policing Unit officers conduct regular patrols across the county to make sure people are driving safely and looking out for the Fatal Five – driving whilst under the influence of drink/drugs, not wearing a seatbelt, driving whilst using a mobile phone and speeding.

Even small amounts of drugs can affect a driver's reaction times, coordination and judgement, significantly increasing the risk of a collision.

Anyone with information about drug driving can report concerns to Hertfordshire Constabulary online at herts.police.uk/report or by calling 101. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress or there is an immediate risk to life.