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

  • A flexible approach to concrete testing
    February 20, 2012
    One of the world's most versatile building materials is subject to a variety of tests to make sure it is fit for purpose. Patrick Smith reports
    Read More
  • Risk for elderly on Japanese roads
    January 7, 2016
    Japan’s National Police Agency has revealed that the country’s road death figures increased slightly in 2015 compared with 2014. Total road fatalities for Japan in 2015 stood at 4,117, an increase of 0.1% from the previous year. There were 536,789 crashes in Japan during 2015, which injured 665,126 people. Of particular concern is the data showing that traffic deaths for those aged 65 or over rose by 2.5% to 2,247 in all, a worrying 54.6% of the total road fatality figure. Official information has not so fa
    Read More
  • Out of sight
    July 16, 2012
    With traffic volumes increasing around the world, many existing road links will need to be upgraded or replaced in coming years The need for new road tunnels is particularly intense in many dense urban areas, due to environmental requirements that mean new road links will have to be installed underground. However, improving existing road tunnel links is providing a very large part of the business for this specialised construction segment at present.
    Read More
  • Brunei sees increased road deaths
    January 4, 2016
    Road crashes in Brunei caused more deaths in 2015 compared with 2014. The data from Brunei's Fire and Rescue Department shows that from January to November 2015, there were 15 road deaths compared with 10 fatalities from road crashes in 2014. In the period under review, the department obtained 76 calls to assist in lifting drivers and passengers trapped in ruined vehicles as opposed to 92 calls obtained in the preceding year. Serious injuries, however, dropped year-on-year from 92 to 65 in the 11 reporting
    Read More

Highlighted Content