HGV driver banned after testing seven times over drug limit

An HGV driver has been banned from the road for 17 months after being caught more than seven times over the drug-drive limit. Mitchell Goodman was stopped by police while behind the wheel of his 20-tonne lorry in Birmingham, after officers suspected he was driving under the influence and not wearing a seatbelt. West Midlands Police said their suspicions were confirmed when 53-year-old Goodman stepped out of the cab and they "smelt a strong smell of cannabis."

When asked why he wasn't buckled up, Goodman replied: "I didn't think any of the truckers had to wear seatbelts, I'm aware of the law but didn't think you had to wear seatbelts." Despite denying any drug use, a roadside test came back positive for both cannabis and cocaine. Further checks in custody showed he was more than twice the limit for cannabis -- and, "shockingly," had seven-and-a-half times the legal cocaine limit in his system.

Goodman was charged with driving without a seatbelt and two counts of drug driving.

He pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court last month.

Alongside his 17-month disqualification, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and take part in 15 rehabilitation activity days.