UK police forces will trial the world's first breathalyser designed to detect nitrous oxide in drivers, marking a breakthrough in tackling impaired driving linked to 'laughing gas'. The innovative device can identify the presence of the gas from a breath sample, providing law enforcement with a crucial roadside detection tool that addresses a significant gap in drug driving enforcement.
The trials come as recreational use of nitrous oxide has surged, raising serious concerns about road safety. While the substance has legitimate medical and industrial uses, its misuse has led to calls for robust measures to prevent people driving under its influence. The breathalyser could streamline the identification of impaired drivers, potentially reducing reliance on complex blood tests in initial stages.
Nitrous oxide was reclassified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in November 2023, making possession illegal except for legitimate purposes. The reclassification directly responded to growing public health and safety concerns, including anti-social behaviour and impaired driving incidents. Previously, law enforcement struggled to prosecute drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide due to the lack of specific roadside detection equipment.
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) has welcomed the development, highlighting its potential to enhance road safety significantly. A spokesperson emphasised that any tool helping police identify and remove impaired drivers from roads is a welcome addition, noting the difficulties officers have faced proving nitrous oxide impairment without reliable detection methods.
The trials will assess the device's accuracy, reliability, and practicality for real-world police use. If successful, the breathalyser could be rolled out widely, giving officers immediate means to test drivers suspected of being under the influence of nitrous oxide. This would bring enforcement for nitrous oxide impairment in line with existing protocols for alcohol and other illicit drugs.
The government has maintained a clear stance that any substance impairing driving ability poses risks that must be mitigated. The breathalyser introduction aligns with broader efforts to make UK roads safer and provide police with necessary resources to enforce drug driving laws effectively. Road safety organisations and policymakers will closely watch the trial outcomes.