A tanker truck carrying dangerous, highly flammable goods was immobilised on Barcelona's Ronda Litoral on Thursday afternoon after its driver tested positive for cocaine, according to Barna Diario's report. The vehicle was stopped after officers saw it overtake another vehicle on the right, a prohibited manoeuvre.

The incident matters for drivers using the Ronda Litoral because the vehicle was transporting goods that could have caused serious consequences in a collision. The truck could not continue its route until another authorised driver arrived to take charge of it.

Stop began with an illegal overtaking manoeuvre

A patrol from the Guardia Urbana's Central Traffic Unit, Barcelona's municipal police traffic division, intercepted the tanker after witnessing the manoeuvre. Officers initially intended to issue a penalty for the traffic offence.

During the driver's identification and the inspection of the vehicle's papers, officers detected signs that the driver might be under the influence of drugs. A subsequent test returned a positive result for cocaine, Barna Diario reported.

Vehicle documents also found to contain irregularities

The police also found irregularities in documentation relating to the vehicle and its transport. The driver was reported for the offences detected, and the tanker was immobilised.

  • The patrol stopped the tanker on the Ronda Litoral on Thursday afternoon.
  • The driver tested positive for cocaine after officers observed signs of possible drug use.
  • Police found irregularities in transport documentation and prevented the vehicle from continuing with that driver.

The vehicle remained stopped until a different driver authorised to take responsibility for it arrived and continued the planned route.

The Guardia Urbana is responsible for road-safety work in Barcelona, including traffic monitoring and enforcement, under its published road-safety responsibilities. Its truck and van control operations include checks intended to identify infringements involving commercial vehicles.

For motorists, the immediate consequence was the removal from service of a dangerous-goods vehicle whose driver could not lawfully continue after the positive cocaine test. The tanker was released only to the replacement authorised driver.

Primary sources: datos.gob.es, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by barnadiario.com, Barna Diario.