A Picton man has been caught driving a 40-tonne truck and trailer unit carrying dangerous goods on State Highway 1 to Blenheim while under the influence of drugs.
Lawrence Malvin Jury, 39, admitted possessing cannabis, utensils to smoke cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Jury, who was working as a professional driver, was seen by another driver using a bong to smoke cannabis while he was driving on State Highway 1 about 1pm on October 19.
Police stopped the truck at the Shell petrol station in Grove Rd, where they claim Jury said he had smoked cannabis that morning and while driving.
Defence counsel Kent Arnott said Jury denied smoking while driving and this was his first drug-related offence. Jury had since lost his job and did not think he needed help with drug addiction, he said.
Judge Tony Zohrab disagreed, saying Jury needed help if he was prepared to jeopardise his employment and public safety.
He sentenced Jury to 160 hours' community work and six months' supervision, and disqualified him from driving for nine months. The sentence also served to deter other truck drivers from driving under the influence of drugs, the judge said.
Tasman Highway Patrol team leader Stu Wright told The Marlborough Express more drivers were being tested for drugs as part of a programme to crack down on drugged drivers.
More police staff are being trained to detect a drug driver, he said. Blood samples could confirm whether the driver was impaired.
While Mr Wright could not comment on specific cases, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol was dangerous, he said.
"It impairs your judgment and impairs your ability to concentrate on what's going on around you. It's not only dangerous to the driver but to the passengers, and the innocent motoring public."
Anyone who knew of a person under the influence should encourage that person not to drive, Mr Wright said.
SIMON WONG AND CLAIRE CONNELL - The Marlborough Express
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