A MAN from Weston-super-Mare who was behind the wheel while on cocaine has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Claudio de Carlo, 56, of Wakehurst Gardens, was caught on the Dunball Interchange near Bridgwater on Christmas Eve in 2023.

Blood tests measured 39 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood, putting him nearly four times over the 10 micrograms limit.

Police also measured 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine (the primary metabolite of cocaine) in his blood, exceeding the 50 micrograms limit.

De Carlo pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Monday, July 15.

Alongside his ban, he was fined £1,300 and told to pay a £520 surcharge to fund victim services and £85 in costs, giving him a £1,905 court bill.

His guilty plea was taken into account when he was sentenced.

It is an offence to drive with any of 17 controlled drugs above a specified level in your blood, the Police UK website says.

This includes illegal drugs and legally prescribed drugs that affect your driving (such as amphetamine and diazepam).

The limits for each drug are different, and the limits for illegal drugs are set extremely low – but they are not zero to rule out accidental exposure.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can affect reaction and coordination skills, vision and the ability to judge speed and distance.