A woman who was driving after taking ketamine stopped her vehicle in the middle of the M4 and caused havoc for other drivers and put lives at risk. Bethan Markfort, aged 20 and of Reigate, Surrey, was driving on the M4 between Membury and junction 15 for Swindon when she stopped in the middle lane for no apparent reason.
HGVs and other vehicles were forced to swerve out of the way of Markfort’s car which was stationary in the middle of the busy carriageway. Witnesses called the police and, when officers arrived, Markfort 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 had driven in her intoxicated state all the way from Surrey into Wiltshire, a distance of about 80 miles.
The incident happened on April 18, 2024. 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 and fined £1,200. She was also 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.”