Drug Drive Patrol
Police say the roads are being made safer on a daily basis thanks to the new drug testing kits.
Drug drivers are being caught in the act thanks to new testing equipment being used by police.
We were invited to go on patrol to see how effective it is in making the roads safer.
It comes as laws are tightened to give stiffer punishments to those caught under the influence behind the wheel.
Michelle Livesey has this exclusive report:
Officers can now test for cocaine and cannabis at the roadside using a drug screening device and if drugs are detected, the driver will be arrested and taken to a police station for a blood test. Police have always encouraged drivers to have ‘none for the road’, and this applies to drugs as well as alcohol. Inspector Susan Redfern from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “There is a misconception amongst drivers that they won’t get caught if they drug drive but with new legislation and drug-testing kits, it is easier than ever for us to catch you. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, whether legal or not, can seriously impair your ability to drive and jeopardises people’s safety on the roads and we’ll use every tool at our disposal to stop this from happening. “If you’re socialising this summer then please plan ahead and book a taxi, check public transport times or stick to none for the road. “If you know of somebody driving under the influence of drink or drugs then please do the right thing and call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously before they kill themselves or somebody else.”
To report a drink or drug driver, call Police on 101 or 999 if they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.