Hippy crack drivers face police blitz after spate of accidents

Police need new legal guidelines permitting them to prosecute drivers excessive on laughing gasoline, following a spate of accidents.

The laws would make it an offence to be in control of a car whereas possessing the drug, formally referred to as nitrous oxide and also referred to as “hippy crack”.

Nitrous oxide is an anaesthetic utilized in medical and dental settings that may create a sense of euphoria or uncontrollable laughter for a short while.

Users sometimes inhale the gasoline from a balloon or paper bag.

Police have discovered tell-tale silver canisters used to retailer the drug in automobile footwells, however say it’s virtually unimaginable to show a motorist has been driving beneath the affect of the drug.

West Midlands Police have written to the Department for Transport warning new legal guidelines are wanted.

In a paper highlighting the issue, Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara mentioned: “Drug driving remains an increasing challenge and the prevalence of nitrous oxide anecdotally appears to be an increasing factor in many collisions that police are responding to.”

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster mentioned: “It’s proving hard for police to test for the drug, as it leaves the body so quickly.

“On occasion officers will even find empty nitrous oxide gas canisters in the footwell of a vehicle, but still struggle to prove it has been inhaled.”

A Home Office spokesperson mentioned: “Drug driving is utterly unacceptable, and we are concerned about the rise in health and social harms of nitrous oxide. We are banning nitrous oxide by making it a class C drug by the end of the year.

“We are also working closely with the police and local authorities on how to further improve our roads enforcement and reduce casualties.”

It is at the moment unlawful to provide, provide or import nitrous oxide for leisure use, however to not possess it.