Nitrous Oxide Breathalyzer to be Trialled
The RAC reports that a new nitrous oxide breathalyser is to be trialled by two U.K. police forces in the south of England, tackling the fight against drug driving that wrecks lives.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police are trialling the new device that has been created by Respira Technologies - a world first.
Suspected drug drivers will be asked to breathe into a portable device that delivers results on the spot within a couple of minutes and can detect if someone has inhaled the gas within the last two hours.
Nitrous oxide is classified as a Class C drug. Possessing it with the intent to inhale it for a psychoactive effect is an offense that can lead to severe consequences, not just with prosecution and punishment, but it also carries severe medical risk if taken recreationally.
Also known as Hippie Crack, the effects of inhaling the gas can lead to relaxation, euphoria and Vitamin B12 depletion that leads to severe anemia and long-term nerve damage resulting in weakness, numbness, and difficulty walking.
Inhaling the gas also causes Hypoxia and cuts off oxygen to the brain, which can lead to fainting, asphyxiation, and death. Any of those effects - when driving under the influence of Nitrous Oxide - will lead to accidents that puts other road users and pedestrians at a severe risk.
The RAC reports a police spokesperson saying: “Driving under the influence of nitrous oxide is an emerging threat to the safety of motorists on our roads. Its use can cause unconsciousness and even neurological damage or death from suffocation of the oxygen supply to the brain. Tragically, our officers have already seen deaths connected to drivers who were under the influence of NOS”.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "We welcome this important trial and hope it leads to the device being used by all police forces. Drug-driving is becoming far too common and so are its consequences. Having a means to detect anyone driving under the influence of nitrous oxide is a very positive step."
Anyone that takes drugs recreationally should avoid driving at all times. The NHS is available and provides free advice, guidance and help for anyone who finds themselves having difficulty stopping drug consumption. It’s no different than seeking help for a medical problem.
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Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
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