A man has been banned from driving after being seen slumped at the wheel while driving.
Christopher Mawson, of High Hope Street, Crook, was arrested by officers from the Durham Special Constabulary Rural Crime Team in October last year when they attended a road traffic collision in the Tow Law area.
When the volunteer officers arrived on the scene, they found 40-year-old Mawson sat behind the wheel of a grey Fiat Punto.
When officers spoke to Mawson, he was apparently unable to recall the details of the crash that had happened only moments earlier.
As they were speaking to Mawson, officers noticed that he was unsteady on his feet, had dilated pupils and slurred speech.
He was given a roadside breath test which he passed. But he was later found to have a concoction of various prohibited drugs in his system, including cannabis.
After police spoke to witnesses, it transpired that Mawon has fallen asleep at the wheel while pulling out of a junction.
Other motorists had to take evasive action to avoid hitting him.
Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court this week, Mawson pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs.
He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and fined £200.
A spokesperson for Durham Special Constabulary Rural Crime Team said:
“It was extremely lucky that Mawson did not cause a serious collision involving other motorists.”
“Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of anything that inhibits your ability to drive safely, whether a legal substance or otherwise, puts not only you at risk, but other road users and pedestrians too.”
“The consequences of this incident could have been far, far more serious, and I hope Mr Mawson remembers this when his driving ban is lifted.”
Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act states that it is an offence if a person drives or attempts to operate a motor vehicle on a road or other public place while unfit through drink or drugs, which includes prescribed medication.
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