New Technology in Action
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is upping the ante on the war against drug-driving on the country’s roads. This month, the PSNI launched new drug-detection kits as its Road Policing Unit continued to work toward enabling safe and secure roads across the region.
These kits, called DrugWipes, form a 12-month pilot scheme that will see them rolled out across the region. Specially trained officers from the Road Policing Unit and District Support Teams will be using the kits at the roadside to detect cannabis and cocaine.
The drug test is simply performed by swabbing inside the driver’s mouth. If a person has recently used cannabis or cocaine, a red line will appear on the test. The test can be conducted at the side of the road in quite a short time without any need for laboratory testing.
Needless to say, these kits add to the already available alcohol-testing equipment and are not a replacement. The PSNI seeks to develop a comprehensive response to all forms of impaired driving.
The Need for Enhanced Road Safety Measures
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones heads the PSNI’s Operational Support Department. She emphasised just how vital these new measures are. At the launch of the drug screening initiative, she took the opportunity to remind people that since January, 46 people have lost their lives on Northern Ireland’s roads, a figure she described as “far too high.”.
Jones said: “Driving with alcohol or drugs in your system dramatically increases the risk of being involved in a collision. The introduction of these DrugWipes enables the PSNI to more effectively target those who drive under the influence of illegal drugs and put themselves and other road users at risk.”
These new detection kits are issued as part of a broader program to improve road safety throughout Northern Ireland. Over the last few weeks, the Minister at the Department for Infrastructure John O’Dowd has launched two significant initiatives:
- Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030
- Road Safety Strategy Action Plan 2024/25
These plans include a review of current drug-driving legislation, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to tackling this issue.
The Sobering Statistics
Minister O’Dowd then gave some stark figures that put a fine point on the necessity for these new measures, as follows:
- On average, one person dies on Northern Ireland’s roads every week.
- In 2023, 11 people were killed in road traffic collisions where alcohol or drugs were a factor.
These are statistics to show that there is an urgent requirement for enhanced detection and prevention methods to cut down the number of impaired drivers using the roads.
What This Means for Drivers
The introduction of these new drug-detection kits serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Here are a few key points for drivers to keep in mind:
The PSNI now has an additional tool to identify impaired drivers quickly and efficiently.
Drivers should be aware that both drug and alcohol use can be detected at roadside stops.
It’s crucial to consider alternative transportation options if you’ve consumed any substances that could impair your driving ability.
Looking Ahead
As this 12-month pilot program begins, the police in Northern Ireland will start to collect valuable data on the effectiveness of these new detection kits. This information could inform future road safety policies and practices not just in Northern Ireland, but potentially in other regions as well.
These DrugWipes represent another key step on that journey toward making the roads safer for everybody. New technology, when combined with other measures and comprehensive safety strategies, places Northern Ireland at the forefront in striving to reduce road casualties and save lives.
Remember, road safety is everyone’s responsibility. While these new tools will enable the police to identify more impaired drivers, the best way to avoid drug-driving is for people to make responsible choices before they get behind the wheel.
Photo by Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
