Drugged man admits dangerous driving

Joel Nugent, 43, of Carterton, pleaded guilty and was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and dangerous driving.

A 43-year-old man who took tramadol and methadone and drove erratically down a busy Carterton street has been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and dangerous driving.

Joel Nugent's trip down High St ended only when he drove into parked cars, after swerving and passing vehicles on the left, just before 5pm on January 24.

In Masterton District Court yesterday, he pleaded guilty to charges of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control, and driving in a dangerous manner.

His lawyer, James Elliot, said Nugent was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. He said that, on the day of the incident, Nugent had taken a prescription medication, an opioid, and another medication for a spinal nerve condition, that was also prescribed to him.

"He understands he put the public at risk."

Mr Elliott said Nugent was a carer for his elderly mother and would be affected by a driving disqualification.

Judge Barbara Morris said tramadol, a pain killer, was not meant to be used when driving. She said Nugent was driving at a busy time, at 4.40pm, and speeding over the 50km/h limit.

She said he reached speeds of 70km/h and was swerving in his lane with cars in front of him.

"You passed on the inside of these vehicles ... you then sailed into parked vehicles."

It was fortunate he didn't hit any pedestrians or have a head on collision with oncoming traffic, she said.

Judge Morris convicted Nugent and sentenced him to 60 hours' community work and disqualified him from driving for six months. She also ordered him to pay reparations of $259 for the damage to the parked cars and medical expenses.