'Drugalysers' could soon be used by UK police
Friday 28 May 2010 Back to Blog
Van contract hire drivers could soon face the prospect of taking roadside drug tests as well as those for alcohol, it has been revealed.
In an interview with the Evening Standard, new transport secretary Philip Hammond said so-called 'drugalysers' could soon be used by UK police to catch those driving under the influence of illegal substances.
The devices are currently used in the US but results from them are not currently admissible in UK courts.
But Mr Hammond said a British version of the tests were being looked into and trials could begin as soon as 2012.
"I suspect that drug-driving is a bit of an iceberg issue here. The anecdotal evidence suggests there is a problem here that needs to be dealt with," he told the news provider.
Jo Abbott of the RAC Foundation welcomed the minister's announcement, saying: "Drink driving figures were much reduced after the introduction of the breathalyser and we would expect to see the same pattern in illegal drug-related accidents on the road as soon as an equivalent test for drugs was rolled out."
There were only 1,644 convictions for drug driving compared to 71,449 for drink driving charges in 2008 in England and Wales.