Upsurge in drug driving incidents in Athlone

Gardaí in Athlone are reporting an “upsurge” in drug driving incidents in recent times.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent last week, Sgt Andrew Haran from Athlone Garda Station admitted that incidents of drug driving are definitely on the increase in the local area.

In many cases, when the driver has been stopped and tested it has been several days since they took the illegal drug socially, he explained, and they are unaware that it is still in their system and impairing their driving.

“The warning would be to recognise that the taking of drugs is illegal, and the effects are lasting a lot longer than they think, so there is potential there to end up in an accident (due to being impaired), in court or losing their licence,” Sgt Haran warned.