A roadside test after Gardai witnessed him almost cause a collision
09:00, 06 Jul 2026Updated 09:09, 06 Jul 2026
HGV was stopped and the driver tested – a positive result(Image: An GS)
One HGV driver could face losing their licence – and their livelihood – after testing positive for drugs on the side of a road in Co Kerry yesterday.
Kerry Road Policing Unit were on duty in very hot conditions when they saw a white HGV attempt a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre. They immediately followed to flag the driver down and when they got the lorry pulled over, they decided to carry out a roadside drug test.
Posting to social media, Kerry Gardai said: “Kerry R.P.U. The driver of this truck was arrested today after being witnessed overtaking dangerously and almost causing a collision.
The subsequent drug test was positive.
Driver charged with dangerous driving to appear in court in the near future. Blood specimen to be forwarded for drug analysis.”
The RSA says the penalty for drug driving is the same as for drink driving:
a maximum of €5,000 fine and up to 6 months imprisonment on summary conviction.Disqualification periods – for those convicted of being above the threshold for cannabis, cocaine and heroin with no proof of impairment necessary by the Gardaí, the disqualification period is not less than 1 year for the first offence and not less than 2 years for the second or subsequent offence.For the existing offence of drug driving, while impaired, there is no change to the penalty or disqualification periods which are a minimum of 4 years for a first offence and 6 years for a second or subsequent offence.
The number of deaths on Irish roads has spiked alarmingly in the past two years, after more than a decade of mostly downward trends in accidents, injuries and fatalities nationwide.