Roadside saliva testing might enhance drug-driving costs, Tory MP says

Roadside saliva testing must be rolled out throughout the UK to hurry up the method of taking drug-drivers off the street, a Conservative MP has recommended. Within the Commons, Andrew Snowden argued the variety of folks being charged with drug-driving might be elevated with the usage of new saliva-testing know-how. The MP for Fylde and former Lancashire police and crime commissioner mentioned focusing on drink and drug-drivers is “a key plank of having the ability to enhance street security”. Division for Transport figures present the variety of folks killed in crashes on Britain’s roads when a driver was impaired by medicine rose from 55 in 2014 to a document 134 in 2023. Throughout transport questions, Mr Snowden added: “Over latest years we all know that drug-drivers, significantly by way of the development of know-how, are simpler to focus on for the police now, and while arrest charges have improved, charging charges – which take months, whereas it takes weeks for drink-drivers – are nonetheless lagging behind. “D-Tech Worldwide is a Fylde firm which offers all 43 police forces with drug swipe kits, and so they want to use know-how which is utilized in different European nations to enhance the cost charges by way of utilizing saliva roadside testing. “Would the minister be prepared to satisfy with myself and D-Tech Worldwide to have a look at how this know-how might enhance the pace during which we are able to get drug-drivers banned and off our roads?” Transport minister Lilian Greenwood replied: “Those that have bee affected by an impairment drug had been concerned in 13% of fatalities final 12 months. “Simply earlier than Christmas I went out with Jo Shiner, who is without doubt one of the main cops chargeable for roads policing, and noticed for myself the work that may occur, and likewise heard concerning the very situation that he raises round prosecution. “So I’d be very comfortable to satisfy with him to debate this additional.” A complete of 33,020 British drivers had been convicted of drug-driving a number of instances within the 11 years to July 20 2024, based on official figures from the Driver and Car Licensing Company. Throughout that interval, 3,431 had been caught on 4 or extra events, together with 54 who had been prosecuted at the very least 10 instances. Some folks convicted of drink-driving are supplied the chance to scale back their driving ban by finishing a rehabilitation course. The 16-hour programs – normally run over three days inside a three-week interval – intention to vary contributors’ behaviour and stop reoffending.