Two drivers from Brighton have been charged under a new drug driving law which came into force last month.
Sussex Police said that the new law, which took effect on Monday 2 March, sets legal limits for how much of a number of substances drivers could have in their system.
The substances include some prescription medicines as well as a number of illegal drugs such as cannabis.
The force said: “Officers no longer need to prove that a motorist is fit to drive – just that the motorist has an illegal level of drugs in their system while driving.”
Mark Barnard, 35, was arrested during a police spot check operation in London Road, Brighton, at 9.35am on Monday 2 March.
Barnard, of Shanklin Road, Brighton, has been charged with driving after taking a controlled drug. He was released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 11 May.
Neil Scott O’Connor, 19, was arrested at 12.50am on Saturday 7 March after his car was stopped in Nuthurst Place, Whitehawk.
Scott O’Connor, of Coombe Vale, Saltdean, has been charged with driving after taking a controlled drug and having a class B drug. He was released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, also on Monday 11 May.
Sussex Police said: “A total of 38 people have been arrested under the new drug driving legislation since it came into force.”
Inspector Stewart Goodwin, of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are continuing to make arrests under the new legislation and expect to charge more motorists with offences related to it over the next few weeks.
“We will not tolerate drug driving and would urge anyone who thinks someone is driving after taking drugs to contact us urgently so that we can act.”
People in Sussex can phone 999 or text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.
They can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
