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A woman who almost caused a serious collision on the M4 while under the influence of ketamine has been banned from driving.
On April 18, Bethan Markfort, 20, of Reigate, Surrey, was driving on the M4 between Membury and junction 15 for Swindon when she inexplicably stopped in lane 2, forcing several vehicles including HGVs to take evasive action.
Witnesses called the police and upon arrival, Markfort – who had driven from Surrey – was suspected of being under the influence of drink or drugs.
Tests revealed Markfort to have ketamine in her blood at the time of the incident at more than ten times the legal limit for driving.
She was subsequently charged and appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on October 7, where she pleaded guilty to drug driving.
She was disqualified from driving for two years, fined £1,200, required to pay a surcharge of £480 and court costs of £85.
Roads Policing Officer Tom Webster 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.
“There can be no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs, let alone the distance Markfort travelled with the amount of ketamine she had in her system.”