Drug-driver testing by end of the year

The Government said yesterday that manufacturers have been invited to submit their machines, which will need to screen for one or more illegal drugs, for laboratory testing.

Suitable devices need to be legally approved by the Home Office before use.

Once approved, the machines will be sited in police stations and allow officers to administer a drug test without waiting for a doctor to arrive to take a blood sample.

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said: “Drug-driving can be deadly and it is vital police have the right tools to bring offenders to justice.”

Work is also under way on the development of portable drug-testing devices for police use.