Drug-driver crashed while overtaking on B5300 in Maryport

Jordan McDowell, 31, was in a road traffic collision on the B5300 between Maryport and Allonby while travelling to work on April 9.

He admitted drug driving and driving without due care and attention when he appeared before Workington Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Pamela Fee said there had been ‘particularly heavy rain’ and the defendant had overtaken a vehicle that was driving slow due to the road conditions.

McDowell had then lost control of his vehicle. He provided a sample of saliva at the scene which was positive for cannabis.

A blood test taken at the police station showed he had 16mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The specified limit is 2mcg.

During police interview, McDowell said he had overtaken a vehicle that was driving at a reduced speed. He ‘now realised’ that it was due to the conditions.

He said he hit standing water on the other side of the road. He admitted he had consumed cannabis the night before and had a ‘couple of bongs’.

Ms Fee said the defendant had a previous conviction for drug-driving in 2020.

A probation officer told the court that McDowell had been travelling to work when the offence took place and he had overtaken a car without assessing the conditions of the road.

The defendant recognised that he shouldn’t have been driving and had put himself and other road users at risk.

Cannabis had been ‘somewhat of a comfort blanket to him’, helping him to sleep, the court was told.

McDowell, who was not legally represented, said: “I think because I had cut down [on his cannabis use], in my own head, I was saying, it’s ok, even though I knew deep down it wasn’t.

“It has been a catalyst to buck my ideas up.”

He said his two young daughters would be most affected by the driving ban.

Magistrates imposed a 36-month disqualification and a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

McDowell, of Eskdale Crescent, Workington, must also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.