Simon Foodey, 53, of Marulan, pleaded guilty to driving with two illicit drugs in his system when he appeared at Yass Local Court on May 17.

Police facts tendered in court said Foodey was driving a white Western Star semi-trailer when he was stopped by police on Burley Griffin Way near Binalong, around 1.45pm on December 21, 2018.

Foodey was subjected to a random breath and drug test, which returned a positive detection of methamphetamine.

A second drug test later at Yass Police Station also found cannabis in Foodey's system.

Police facts stated the accused had "a long history of substance abuse and traffic matters."

In court, Foodey's solicitor argued he might have consumed the drugs "accidentally".

The solicitor also said that Foodey's relationship had broken down and that he was under financial pressure at the time.

There weren't many alternate modes of transport in Marulan and Foodey was "anxious" to try and get back to work, the solicitor said.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said Foodey's actions showed "disregard for public safety."

"You were driving a semi-trailer on the highway, where the speed limit was 110km/h, in pre-Christmas traffic and you had a passenger in the car," she said.

"If something had gone wrong that could have been another tragedy before Christmas.

"You know what happens with drugs in your system because this is your sixth offence.

"Your record also shows a number of speeding and fatigue matters while driving a heavy vehicle."

Foodey was disqualified from driving until May next year and fined $1500. He is appealing the sentence.

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