The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched new drug-driving detection kits as part of a 12-month pilot program aimed at enhancing road safety across the region. The initiative allows specially trained officers from the Road Policing Unit and District Support Teams to utilise DrugWipes, which can detect cannabis and cocaine at the roadside. This new equipment complements the existing alcohol testing measures and works by using a mouth swab that reveals a red line if drugs are present in the driver’s system. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones emphasised the importance of tackling drug-impaired driving to reduce road collisions, noting that 46 fatalities have occurred on Northern Ireland roads since January.

The introduction of these drug detection tools aligns with the goals of the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland, which includes reviewing current drug-driving legislation. Department for Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd highlighted the urgency of addressing road deaths, pointing out that in 2023, 11 fatalities were linked to alcohol or drug use. The deployment of DrugWipes is expected to deter drug driving and encourage safer driving behaviours among road users. For further information, visit PSNI.