UK police to start using drug testing kits on drivers

In the UK police are finally to be issued with a new drug testing kit. This development follows trials of testing technology able to detect the presence of illegal drugs using samples from drivers. The kit that has been approved by the UK authorities can analyse a mouth swab for traces of cannabis. Systems capable of determining the presence of other drugs are in development at present. This new kit for checking on the presence of cannabis will be used at police stations, and does away with the need to have
January 8, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In the UK police are finally to be issued with a new drug testing kit. This development follows trials of testing technology able to detect the presence of illegal drugs using samples from drivers. The kit that has been approved by the UK authorities can analyse a mouth swab for traces of cannabis. Systems capable of determining the presence of other drugs are in development at present. This new kit for checking on the presence of cannabis will be used at police stations, and does away with the need to have a doctor take a blood sample for drug testing. Data shows that during 2011, at least 640 accidents were caused by drivers who were confirmed as having either illegal or medicinal drugs present in their system. According to official Department of Transport statistics, this included 49 deaths. Previous research has revealed a high incidence of drivers using drugs. Young drivers in the 17-24 age range pose a particularly high risk in this regard, and cannabis has been identified as one of the most widely used illegal drugs by drivers. Trials of drug testing kits have been carried out in various parts of the UK to asses the performance of the technology and confirm the validity of the results. However, these have already been used by police in some countries (such as Australia) for some time.

Related Content

  • Brake calls for tougher sentences for UK road death drivers
    May 28, 2014
    UK road safety charity Brake has renewed calls for tougher charges and penalties for drivers who kill and injure following the publication of British government criminal justice figures for 2013. The figures show the large proportion of drivers who kill and seriously injure being let off with relatively low penalties, reinforcing the importance of a forthcoming review of charges and penalties, recently announced by government. In total, 438 drivers were convicted of causing death or bodily harm. Just over
    Read More
  • Using smartphones when driving is more dangerous than drink driving
    April 20, 2012
    Using smartphones for social networking while driving is more dangerous than drink driving or being high on cannabis behind the wheel according to research published by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) in the UK. Despite this, eight per cent of drivers admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving. Twenty-four per cent of 17-24 year old drivers, a group already at higher risk of being in a crash, admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving.
    Read More
  • Norway to address young male driver safety?
    May 9, 2012
    Safety campaigners in Norway are proposing a novel approach to cutting road accident levels. With data showing that young male drivers account for a disproportionately high number of accidents, calls are being made for increased regulations in order to boost safety. Those suggesting the changes believe that tougher rules for young male drivers in the 18-24 age group would reduce the number of traffic accidents.Norway's accident data reveals that of road accidents involving fatalities, young men are the driv
    Read More
  • Bitumen balance in RAP
    November 29, 2012
    *Bitumen from recycled asphalt can be rejuvenated using additives, according to Iterchimica The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is common in many countries. However, the aged bitumen from RAP has a lower penetration and is more viscous than when first mixed. This reclaimed bitumen is generally balanced by the addition of fresh binder that is softer than those typically used to produce hot mixes. But balancing penetration and softening point or viscosity will not deliver bitumen identical to the orig
    Read More

Highlighted Content