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Government unveils details for drug-driving detector Drug-driving detector is a step closer, say ministers
(about 4 hours later)
The Home Office has published the specification for a new device for police to use to test whether drivers are under the influence of drugs. Police forces in Great Britain are a step closer to having a new device to test drivers for drugs.
Ministers say the "drugalyser", as it has been nicknamed, will not be used on the roadside but in a police station. Ministers say the so-called "drugalyser" will be used in a police station and will remove the need for a doctor, making the process quicker.
It will take a mouth swab and analyse it for traces of cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin or methadone.It will take a mouth swab and analyse it for traces of cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin or methadone.
The move follows the publication of a review into the problem of drug-driving last June. The Home Office has published the specification for the technology and is looking for manufacturers.
The review, by Sir Peter North, concluded that the drug-driving problem was "out of all proportion" to the official figures - partly because of the difficulty in testing for drugs, which means many cases go unrecorded.
At the moment police first need a doctor to decide whether the suspect has a "condition which might be due to a drug", and then a blood test has to be carried out.At the moment police first need a doctor to decide whether the suspect has a "condition which might be due to a drug", and then a blood test has to be carried out.
Getting a doctor to the police station and the examination itself both take time - and could mean the drugs have left the suspect's system before the blood sample is taken.Getting a doctor to the police station and the examination itself both take time - and could mean the drugs have left the suspect's system before the blood sample is taken.
Manufacturer interest
Under the new plans, police will still have to rely on so-called impairment tests which require drivers to carry out basic tasks such as walking in a straight line at the roadside.Under the new plans, police will still have to rely on so-called impairment tests which require drivers to carry out basic tasks such as walking in a straight line at the roadside.
But if a suspect is arrested, they will be able to be tested with the new device at a police station.But if a suspect is arrested, they will be able to be tested with the new device at a police station.
If the test is positive, a blood sample will then be taken by a custody nurse. If the test is positive, a blood sample will then be taken by a custody nurse. Evidence to support a prosecution can only come from a blood specimen.
Manufacturers are being asked to indicate whether they would be interested in designing the "drugalyser". Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said motorists under the influence of drugs "were a danger on the road".
In August 2010, the government said the move could lead to a roll-out of the technology across all police forces in England, Scotland and Wales within two years. "We are determined that police have the highest quality devices to help identify them. This specification is a big step towards that goal," he said.
Development work is also continuing on a roadside version. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "Drug drivers show a flagrant disregard for the law and put the lives of responsible motorists at risk.
Last year the Home Office and Department for Transport said it would spend £300,000 on research into roadside testing equipment, with the eventual aim that all evidence for prosecutions could be gathered at the scene by traffic police. "This announcement means that we are a step closer to making sure the police have the equipment they need to tackle this selfish minority more effectively and make the roads safer for everyone."
Roadside version
Manufacturers have until the end of January to indicate whether they are interested, and testing of the devices is due to begin in February.
The development of the new device follows the publication of a review into the problem of drug-driving last June.
The review, by Sir Peter North, concluded the drug-driving problem was "out of all proportion" to the official figures - partly because of the difficulty in testing for drugs, which means many cases go unrecorded.
In August 2010, the government said the device could be rolled out across all police forces in England, Scotland and Wales within two years.
Work is also continuing on a roadside version.