A GROUND-breaking trial of the world’s first laughing gas breathalyser has been taking place in Hampshire.
Police were trialling the nitrous oxide breathalyser with spot tests on Tuesday, May 12, in Hampshire and the Thames Valley.
This is to test the device’s capabilities in detecting if a driver is under the influence of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or NOS.
Acting Superintendent Emma Hart, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, said: “At the moment, we do not know the extent of NOS use on our roads.
"This technology allows us to detect for up to two hours after use.
"So, it will enable us to detect impaired driving better, understand the risk to our road users, and also understand where we need to target our education.
“The testing has gone really well.
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"We’ve seen interest from members of the public, we’re testing the operational viability, and so far we’ve got test results that show the kit is working, which is great.”
This new NOS breathalyser has been created by Respira Technologies, following research at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, and is believed to be one-of-a-kind.
Pepijn Van Rutten, from Respira, said: “We are very excited to be here today.
"We have been working on the device for the past few years.
"We have been testing it in a controlled environment, but the real test is to use it in practice, so we are very excited to have the kits be used and tested.
“This is the first practical trial of the device.
"We’ve tried to make it simple to use; it is like an alcohol test, but for laughing gas.”
Mr Van Rutten added that the device could also have potential to detect lung cancer or asthma, saying: “This is not fully realised, but it is our long-term goal.”
Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, said: “This is really exciting for us.
"I’ve made road safety one of my three big priorities, and I’ve set that for the Chief Constable.
"We, in this police force, are up for pushing boundaries and for setting the standard on how we should be making our roads safer.
“Thirty-two-and-a-half-thousand accidents and injuries happen on Hampshire roads each year.
"That is a lot, and sadly, too many people are still losing their lives.”
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