A drug driver arrested during the Summer Anti-Drink and Drug Driving Campaign has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Adam Bones of Viking Way, Runwell, was arrested on June 19 when the Volkswagen Golf he was driving collided with a traffic island on Runwell Road, Wickford, at 2.35am.

The 29-year-old was arrested on suspicion of drug driving after failing a roadside breath test for cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager at Essex Police, said: "Cannabis slows reaction times and can distort perception of time and distance resulting in poor concentration and control.

"The new drug testing kits mean we are better equipped than ever to catch drug drivers and put them before the courts.

"Drug driving risks and ruins lives and we will continue to work to bring to justice those irresponsible drivers who put their lives and the lives of others at risk by getting behind the wheel under the influence.”

Anyone with information about drivers who regularly get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 if you know someone is drunk or high on drugs behind the wheel of a vehicle.