Police pull over drivers with new roadside test in 'world first' - 2 years in prison
New technology is being introduced to roadside checks with a crucial new tool now being tested.
Motorists could be pulled over while behind the wheel, with new roadside tests being trialled by police forces in two UK regions. The world’s first roadside laughing gas breathalyser is being tested in two areas, with motorists at risk of severe penalties if they are found driving under the influence of the substance.
The tool can detect if road users have taken Nitrous oxide, referred to as NOS or “hippy crack”, up to two hours before. Nitrous oxide can be considered possession of a class C drug for unlawful use, with road users at risk of landing a two-year custodial sentence.
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, who are undertaking the trial, said there was an “emerging threat” of drivers getting behind the wheel high on the substance.
A spokesman for the forces said: “Driving under the influence of nitrous oxide is an emerging threat to the safety of motorists on our roads. Its use can cause unconsciousness and even neurological damage or death from suffocation of the oxygen supply to the brain.
“Tragically, our officers have already seen deaths connected to drivers who were under the influence of NOS. The innovative device is being tested by our officers to see if it can be used to detect if a driver is under the influence of this harmful drug. If successful, this could lead these motorists to be prosecuted for drug driving offences.”
The motorist simply needs to breathe into a portable breathalyser device, with the result picked up within just a matter of minutes. The breathalyser tool has been created by Respira Technologies following new research undertaken at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Acting Superintendent Emma Hart, of the joint operations roads policing unit of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police stressed the new tool was likely to “save lives”.
Emma said: “There is currently no device available that can prove a driver inhaled laughing gas, making prosecution difficult. That is why our forces are leading this testing phase, to break new ground and prove these devices can help save lives on our roads.
“Nitrous oxide is a growing issue, especially with young drivers who don’t understand the harm it can cause, so when we saw the opportunity to test this new technology, we knew how important it could be towards these devices being rolled out across the country.”
