THE world’s first breathalyser for laughing gas is being trialled by two police forces.
The move is to tackle the “emerging threat” of drivers high on nitrous oxide.
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The world’s first breathalyser for laughing gas is being trialled by two police forces Credit: Solent
The move is to tackle the ’emerging threat’ of drivers high on nitrous oxide, a banned substance Credit: Alamy
And it is backed by the family of a teenager killed in a crash caused by a motorist who inhaled the gas at the wheel.
The roadside breathalyser, created by a Dutch firm, can detect whether the class C drug was inhaled for up to two hours beforehand — and gives a result in minutes.
It is being trialled by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police.
Acting Superintendent Emma Hart, of the forces’ joint operations roads policing unit, said: “Driving under the influence of nitrous oxide is an emerging threat.
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“Our officers have already seen deaths connected to drivers who were under the influence
“The innovative device is being tested to see if it can be used to detect if a driver is under the influence of this harmful drug.
“If successful, this could lead these motorists to be prosecuted for drug-driving offences.”
In 2023 Elliot Pullen, 17, and two 18-year-olds died when the car they were in crashed into a tree in Marcham, Oxfordshire.
Driver Thomas Johnson, 18, was filmed inhaling the gas.
He got nine years for causing death by dangerous driving.
Nitrous oxide possession carries a maximum two-year jail term.
Elliot’s family said: “We fully support the trial. The idea of people being under the influence is a terrifying one.”
