Double drug driver gets licence back after being caught the ‘one and only time’ she used ice
A woman who said she had taken ice on one occasion was the time she got caught behind the wheel. The new mum told a court she has cleaned up her act in an effort to get back on the road.
Inner South
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A drug driver who said she only took ice “once” — the time she was caught — has been granted her licence back.
Rebecca Merrigan also admitted driving for years while high on cannabis, saying she had been a daily marijuana user but still got behind the wheel.
The new mother said she has now completely given up drugs and wouldn’t go back to her “irresponsible” way of life.
Merrigan, of Caulfield North, applied for a driving licence reinstatement order at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard Merrigan had been banned for a year in November 2018 after she proved positive to both cannabis and methamphetamine at a roadside test.
The single mum told the court it was her boyfriend at the time who suggested she try ice and she “ridiculously” agreed.
“My partner had done it (meth), he asked me to and I did, and four days later I was taking the car to the mechanics to get registered and I was pulled over,” Merrigan said.
“That was the first time I had used ice.
“I have never used it since, it was a one-off; I hated it.”
She also tested positive for cannabis, which she says she has now given up.
“I’ve come a long way from smoking (it) daily,” she said.
“I don’t do any of that now.”
She said that her life had changed since her baby came along and she had done detox, a drug education course and could provide clean screens if required.
“I have a child, I’ve grown up a lot,” she said.
“I know the consequences (of drug-driving) now, I was irresponsible.
“It was ridiculous what I did, I didn’t take things seriously before, now I know it is a privilege to have a licence.”
Magistrate Stephen Lee said it appeared Merrigan had changed her ways.
“She says she is now free from drugs,” Mr Lee said.
“The methamphetamine (use) was a one-off that has not been repeated.
“She is level-headed, clear thinking and I am impressed how she has matured since a year or two ago.”
Her application to be relicensed was granted.
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