Brighton man first to be arrested under new drug driving law

A 35-year-old man from Brighton has become the first to be arrested in Sussex under the new drug-driving legislation.

Legislation that came into force today (Monday 2 March) sets legal limits for how much of a substance – both illegal drugs and prescription medication – motorists can have in their system while driving.

Officers no longer need to prove that a motorist is unfit to drive – just that the motorist has an illegal level of drugs in their system while driving.

A new device has also been approved that will allow officers at the roadside to test if a motorist has taken cannabis or cocaine, using a swab from inside a driver’s mouth.

At 9.35am today a 35-year-old man was stopped during a Sussex Police operation in London Road, Brighton, and tested using the new drug-driving equipment.

He was then arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and taken to a police station for further tests.

The man was later released on bail until Friday 24 April while officers wait for the results of the tests.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas said: “The new legislation makes it far easier for us to get drivers who have taken drugs off the roads.

“It will help us to make the streets of Sussex safer by getting selfish motorists banned if they put other road users at risk by getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs.

“We will not tolerate drug-driving and would urge anyone who thinks they know someone who is driving after taking drugs to contact us urgently so that we can act.”

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

To keep up to date with officers looking for drink or drug drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.