The PSNI has unveiled new drug-detection kits as part of a 12-month pilot programme where motorists can be tested for being under the influence of cannabis or cocaine.
Specially trained officers from the PSNI’s Road Policing Unit and District Support Teams will be able to use the kit, known as DrugWipes.
The roadside kit uses a mouth swab, with and a red line appearing if the person has taken the drugs.
If cannabis and/or cocaine is detected and there is evidence of driver impairment, the driver can be arrested and taken to a police station where they will be asked to provide a blood sample.
Between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024, there were 3,104 arrests for drink/drug driving offences.
So far in 2024, 46 people have died in traffic collisions on Northern Ireland’s roads.
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones, who is responsible for the PSNI’s Operational Support Department, said: “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will drastically increase the risk of causing a collision.
“Since January, sadly 46 people have lost their lives on our roads. That number is far too high and we must work together to keep each other safe.
“These DrugWipes will allow us to target those using illegal drugs while driving and ensure they face the full rigours of the law for their lack of care for the safety of fellow citizens.
“We are committed to continually improving road safety and robustly challenging those who recklessly risk the safety of road users and the wider public.
“We all share the responsibility to keep ourselves and other road users safe.”
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Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd recently launched the Road Safety Strategy for NI to 2030 and the Road Safety Strategy Action Plan 2024/25, which includes a review of current drug-driving legislation.
Welcoming the new DrugWipes, he said: “The launch of this roadside drugs-test tool is timely.
“In the north, the death rate on our roads is, on average, one per week. It’s a shocking statistic and the devastation every road death leaves in its wake knows no boundaries.
“In 2023, 11 people were killed in road traffic collisions where alcohol or drugs were attributed.
“As road users we must do everything we can – both individually and collectively – to reduce road deaths.
“The addition of roadside drug detection to the PSNI tool kit to the fight against illegal road behaviours will hopefully make people think before driving under the influence of drugs.”
News Catch Up – Tuesday 24th September