A school bus driver who was on his way to pick up children failed a roadside drugs test after being caught speeding.
The man, aged 50, and whose identity has not been released, had been hurrying along Sefton Street in Southport in his minibus at around 2.40pm on Monday, September 8.
Merseyside Police‘s Roads Policing Unit say they noticed the vehicle being driven at ‘excess speed’ in the 20mph zone before flashing their blue lights and instructing the driver to pull over.
The unit said the driver had been on his way ‘to pick up children from a school in the Southport area’ at the time.
Officers then ordered the man to take a roadside drugs test, which he failed, before arresting him on suspicion of driving above the specified limit of a controlled drug.
He has since been released under investigation after being taken into custody.
The force confirmed that the bus was empty at the time of the incident, with Roads Policing Inspector Simon Wilson saying the driver was stopped ‘before any harm could come to anyone’.
He added: ‘Anyone who gets in the driver’s seat after taking illicit or even prescription medication that affects their capacity is taking a huge risk.
Police noticed the school bus (above) being driven at ‘excess speed’ along a 20mph street
‘Not only do drug drivers risk being involved in a collision and coming to harm themselves, they are taking the safety of other road users – including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists – into their hands.
‘And given we proactively patrol the roads of Merseyside 365 days a year to protect road users, they also risk the prospect of being arrested, getting a criminal record and facing justice for their behaviour.
‘In this case, thankfully, the driver was stopped by officers before any harm could come to anyone.
‘Drug driving is a selfish act that can cause devastation to families and heartbreak that will last a lifetime.
‘If you know that someone has got behind the wheel while I impaired through drink or drugs, do the right thing and report it to us.’
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Merseyside Police quoting reference number 25000744724.
Alternatively, crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
