Morphine, diazepam, cocaine and cannabis were all found in the bloodstream of Mr Davies, a Swansea valley father who was killed in a car crash.
Travelling at 68mph his car careered off a dual carriageway. As the black Renault Clio rolled over several times Mr Davies suffered severe head injuries. For the second time that day he was admitted to hospital but at around 1.20pm he was declared dead.
Morphine, diazepam, cocaine and cannabis were all found in the bloodstream of Mr Davies, a Swansea valley father who was killed in a car crash.
Travelling at 68mph his car careered off a dual carriageway. As the black Renault Clio rolled over several times Mr Davies suffered severe head injuries. For the second time that day he was admitted to hospital but at around 1.20pm he was declared dead.
The 33-year-old had spent the previous evening partying in Swansea with friends. However the night had concluded with his admission to Singleton Hospital after the police had found him slumped over with glazed eyes and subsequently called an ambulance.
Discharged at 4.30am he is then thought to have taken a taxi to the house of a friend, Vaughan Davies. Later that morning Mr Davies saw his parents and young son for the last time before Vaughan agreed to drive him to Swansea to pick up his car.
Pathologist Nasima Tofazzal said it was likely that the level of drugs present in Mr Davies’ blood and urine impaired his judgement or his ability to drive.
Both the effects of drugs on driving ability and the legal repercussions of driving whilst under the influence of drugs are far less well known than their alcohol equivalents. Statistics show that 22% of fatalities in road traffic accidents in the UK have illegal drugs in their bloodstream. A survey conducted by the Scottish Executive’s Road Safety Campaign revealed that 81% of clubbers have driven after recreational drug use. Equally distressing is the ignorance this survey exposed: many felt cannabis had little or no impact on driving ability whilst some even thought amphetamine use actually improved driving ability.
This festive season Cleveland Police are launching a drink and drug campaign in an effort to combat the problem in the Teesside area. Inspector Hatton is urging drivers not to take the risk this Christmas: “I would ask every driver to imagine how they would feel if they killed their best mate, girlfriend or a family member. Surely that is enough to deter anyone from drink or drug driving.”
If you have been injured in a road traffic accident that was caused by someone who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol you could be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering and any losses incurred as a result of your injuries.
