Drug driver who stopped on M4 banned for two years

A driver who came to a complete stop on the M4 while high on ketamine has been banned from driving for two years.

Bethan Markfort, 20, stopped in lane two in her Volkwagen Beetle near Membury on the evening of 18 April, forcing several vehicles, including HGVs, to take evasive action.

Upon arrest, tests found the level of ketamine in Markfort’s blood was more than 10 times the legal limit for driving, Wiltshire Police said.

Markfort, of Reigate, Surrey, received a driving ban and was fined £1,200 at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 7 October after admitting drug driving.

She was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £480 and court costs of £85.

Tom Webster, of Wiltshire Police’s roads policing team, said: “Markfort’s actions were incredibly reckless and dangerous and put a number of lives, including her own, at risk.

“It is extremely fortunate that having stopped in the second lane for unknown reasons, the drivers behind her were able to react in time to take evasive action, potentially averting a serious collision.”

He added: “There can be no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs.”