DOZENS of motorists have been caught driving while under the influence of drugs by new roadside tests.

Cleveland and Durham police have arrested 53 people since March when legislation came in allowing officers to use a specialist piece of kit to take a mouth swab from anyone they believed to be driving while on drugs.

The new regulations set low levels for a number of illegal substances, with higher levels set for eight prescription drugs, including morphine and methadone.

The motorists, caught by Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU), were arrested for either driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs or driving a vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

Of the drivers arrested, 51 were male, two female and all but three were aged between 18 and 37.

The shocking figures come as the unit, which covers both Cleveland and Durham force areas, joins the national summer campaign to target drivers who may be under the influence of either drink or drugs.

Inspector Wendy Tinkler, of the CDSOU, said: “Any driver we stop who we suspect to be under the influence of drugs, we will either test at the roadside with a DrugWipe kit or use a field impairment test which assesses their ability to drive.

“If drugs are then detected in their system or they are deemed impaired by drugs, they will be arrested and taken to a police station for blood or urine tests. Charges will then be brought if the tests confirm the driver was over the specified limit."

Insp Tinkler said the penalties for drug driving were the same as for drink driving.

"If you are convicted you will receive a minimum 12-month driving ban, as well as a hefty fine, a prison sentence or both.

“While the effects of alcohol on your ability to drive are well-known, the figures suggest there is potentially a big problem with the number of drivers who are getting behind the wheel under the influence of another substance, or substances. Over the next few weeks this will be a real focus for our road policing officers across Durham and Cleveland.

“Casualty reduction is about saving lives, and making the roads safer for all those who use them. This campaign is part of the ongoing commitment the police and other agencies share to reduce the number of needless deaths we see each year on our roads.”

Risks of driving while on drugs

Police said that driving under the influence of drugs was extremely dangerous and could affect driving skills in a number of ways:

- Cannabis users often think they are safer when they are under the influence because they drive more slowly. However, cannabis slows reaction and decision times. It can also distort perception of time and distance, and result in poorer concentration and control of the vehicle.

- Cocaine leads to a sense of over-confidence and this is reflected in the user’s driving style. Users typically perform higher risk, more aggressive manoeuvres at greater speeds.

- Ecstasy (MDMA) is extremely dangerous to drive on because it results in distorted vision, heightened perception of sounds, altered perception and judgment of risks and an over-confident driving attitude.

- While the effects of any illegal drugs are wearing off the user may feel fatigued, affecting concentration levels.