A councillor who was seriously injured in a road crash caused by soap star Amanda Mealing after she took cocaine, is calling for zero tolerance of drug-driving.
Mark Le Sage (58) suffered a catalogue of injuries in the crash, which happened at Hop Pole in January last year.
Now the South Holland district councillor has teamed up with South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes to launch a campaign for zero tolerance for drug driving.
Casualty and Holby City star Mealing (57) appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court on March 14 where she admitted charges of drug driving and driving without due care and attention.
Coun Le Sage was driving to work on the morning of the accident when Mealing swerved onto his side of the road, smashing her Mini Cooper into his Skoda.
The court heard she had 18mcg of cocaine in her blood, the legal limit being 10mcg, and in excess of 240mcg of benzoylecgonine (the chemical that cocaine leaves after being metabolised by the body) – almost five times over the legal limit of 50mcg.
She was disqualified from driving for 28 months, reduced to 22 as she has already served a six-month interim ban, fined £485, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £194 and costs of £400.
Speaking to The Voice yesterday, Coun Le Sage said: “It’s unbelievable that there is a legal limit to drive having taken an illegal class A drug.
“How can we feel safe on the roads?
“Anyone testing positive at the roadside, should be immediately forfeit their licence, with bloods being taken and tested within 21 days.”
Sir John added: “Taking non-prescription illegal drugs, then driving is outrageous. And that this is not a specific offence is unacceptable. So, I have challenged the Secretary of State, to reveal how often this happens and what punishment the culprits receive. Surely there should be zero tolerance of drug driving.”
