Introducing the 'drugalyser': Police launch the first ever roadside SALIVA test that can detect drugs and prescription medicines in Christmas blitz on dangerous driving
Police will use saliva tests to determine whether motorists are under the influence of drugs behind the wheel as part of a festive season crackdown.
New roadside testing kits were approved by the Home Office last week and will allow police to instantly test drivers for both narcotics and legal highs.
Policing minister Mike Penning said motorists pulled over will not know whether they will be breathalysed, 'drugalysed' or both.
The tests will also allow police to check whether motorists have taken prescription medicines, including strong painkillers, sleeping pills and drugs to treat anxiety, that can impair their ability to drive.
Mr Penning told The Sunday Telegraph: 'This is something that has plagued society for far too long.
people will have exactly the same view of drug-driving as they do of drink-driving: it is an abhorrent thing to do.
'Not only do you put your own life at risk, but you put innocent people's lives at risk.
'We will drive this menace off the road.'
At present, officers have to arrest drug driving suspects and take them to a police station to undergo time-consuming blood tests that must be conducted under medical supervision.
Motorists could then delay testing so the drugs would have time to leave their body by sighting religious reasons, that they were haemophiliacs, 'or had other special reasons', Mr Penning said.
He said the saliva tests will enable officers to better prosecute motorists that can pass a breath alcohol test, but are clearly still 'completely out of their tree'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2882273/Festive-drivers-drugalyse-threat.html
