Driver anti-drug tests in force

Police and gendarmes will be cracking down on motorists who drive on drugs this summer.

Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie said 50,000 testing kits had been sent out across the country following trials over the last year.

Using the tests the police can gather saliva using a swab stick – if the colour of the stick changes then drugs are detected.

Following a positive reaction, a blood test will be taken at a medical centre to determine what type of drugs were taken.

The system will replace urine tests, currently carried out by a doctor in a van at the roadside.

Ms Alliot-Marie said the new tests would be highly dissuasive.

Police and gendarmes would be targeting areas near bars and nightclubs.

She added that more measures would be discussed in the autumn, such as confiscating the cars of drivers caught at excessive speeds, driving under influence of drink or drugs or without a licence.

A further plan force a motorist convicted of drink driving to install a breathalyser directly into their vehicle which would prevent it from working if alcohol was detected.

Photo: flickr rockcohen