Cheshire Police announced on Thursday that they have arrested 55 people for drink or drug driving across the county since 1st December 2025. In a joint effort with the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Op Limit, Cheshire Police have been carrying out enhanced patrols, intelligence led stop checks and roadside testing as part of a proactive approach to identify offenders and prevent serious collisions.
Further to our recent blog on drink driving, this blog addresses drug driving. The sentence for drug driving can be more serious than the sentence for drink driving. Your sentence will be determined based on which category your offence falls in to. This is decided based on culpability and harm, with Category 1 being the most serious and Category 3 being the least serious.
Be Safe
Drugs can stay in your system for longer than you might expect. It is important to be aware that the effects of drugs can sometimes be longer lasting than the effects of alcohol post-consumption.
This does not apply only to illegal drugs. Your driving may also be impaired after taking prescription drugs, especially if mixed with alcohol. It is important to understand the side-effects of any medication you are taking and whether they impair your ability to drive. If in doubt, contact your GP or prescriber.
The Consequences
Legal consequences –
- Penalty points
- Mandatory disqualification
- Minimum of 12 months
- Minimum of 2 years if you have had two or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more imposed in the 3 years preceding the commission of the current offence
- Minimum of 3 years if you have been convicted of a relevant offence in the 10 years preceding the commission of the current offence
- Extended disqualification (if imposing immediate custody)
The consequences can extend beyond legal consequences, such as:
- Accidents and injuries
- Increased insurance costs
- Employment issues
- Emotional burden
- Strain on personal relationships
If you have been charged with a drink or drug driving offence, it is important to seek specialist legal advice from the outset. We can help you to navigate the complex legal framework and understand the potential consequences. You can contact Road Traffic Solicitors to support you in your legal matter. Call us on 0161 930 5151, email us at enquiries@gorvins.com or fill in the online form.