Looking at roadside drug testing

Rapiscan is already used on police detainees suspected of drug use

The machines would be used to test motorists for recreational drugs or tranquillisers - which can seriously affect them - at the wheel.

The Home Office is expected to release its specifications for a testing device soon.

BBC News looks at some of the gadgets already on the market.

In December 2004, police were given new powers to carry out roadside impairment tests on drivers they suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

Prior to that drivers could choose to take part in the impairment tests, but refusal became an offence in the same way as failure to provide a breath test.

DRUG DRIVE TESTS The five tests police use to check if a driver is under the influence In graphics

Cozart Biosciences says its Rapiscan drug-testing product is already being used on suspects in police custody in 173 sites across the UK.

A spokeswoman said the product was easily transferable, as evidenced by its use for roadside drug tests in Australia, Italy and Croatia.

The French government is also trialling the product.

Cozart describes Rapiscan as "the world's first fully integrated, on-site, oral fluid based drugs of abuse diagnostic system".

The system uses cartridges to check saliva samples for the presence of cannabinoids, amphetamine, cocaine, opiates (heroin and morphine), benzodiazepines and methadone.

It can check for up to five drug groups in one test.

A handheld instrument then interprets and digitally displays the results.

Quantum

Quantum Diagnostics produces preliminary saliva drug tests, Oralstat, as well as a portable Rapid Reader, which can be plugged into a laptop or PC.

The company says the results can then be verified within seconds.

Meanwhile, a team at the University of Surrey has been working on an "impairment detector", which tests motor control, ability to react to the unexpected and concentration levels.

A New Scientist article in late 2003 said the test took about ten minutes and involved the "driver" tracking an object across a PDA screen and pushing a button if another object materialises.

A second task measuring concentration sees a road sign flashing up every second. The driver has to respond to all of the signs except one, it said.

The university's Human Psychopharmacology Research Unit on Tuesday told BBC News the product remained in development.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version