Plans to introduce roadside drug tests that detect cannabis and cocaine in minutes are moving forward, the government has said, following a stark warning from the Police Chief that drug-impaired driving is harder to detect – and possibly more widespread – than drink-driving.
The government confirmed that law drafting began last year to introduce legal drug-driving limits that would allow officers to carry out saliva-based roadside tests – similar to those used in the UK since 2015.
“The Minister initiated work in June 2024 for law drafting to be undertaken to provide legal drug limits in the road traffic law. This would enable the police to undertake roadside drug testing. This work forms part of the Government’s legislative programme,” an Infrastructure spokesperson told Express.
They were unable to confirm the timeline for the legislation to come into effect, however.
Growing concerns over drug-driving
The move comes amid growing concern from police about the risks posed by drug-impaired drivers.
Police chief Robin Smith told a panel of politicians last week that drug-driving is now a bigger concern than drink-driving because it is both harder to detect and potentially more widespread.
“I’m more concerned about that [driving under the influence of drugs] than I am about alcohol, because it’s harder to detect,” explained Mr Smith.
“There are some studies in the UK where more [drivers] have been under the influence of other substances than alcohol.”
At present, Jersey’s law does not permit roadside drug testing due to a lack of drug driving limits.
Testing already standard in UK
Saliva-testing kits capable of detecting drugs in minutes are already standard in the UK and other jurisdictions.
While the Infrastructure Minister is responsible for road traffic legislation, enforcement falls under the Home Affairs portfolio.
Deputy Catherine Curtis, chair of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said the law is being reviewed and that the panel will continue to oversee its progress.
“The CEHA panel will continue to follow this up and will review any upcoming changes to legislation and how it will be policed,” she said.
She added that Jersey’s approach would need to consider the use of prescription medication and impairment levels, much like UK law, which sets specific drug limits while allowing for medical use.
“Legislation [in the UK] takes account of allowances for proscribed medications, and considerations as to levels of impairment, and the panel would look to see how any legislation here takes account of these issues.
“The panel would look to see how any legislation here takes account of these issues,” she added.
The CEHA panel heard that Jersey’s current equipment, while functional, is outdated, with some of the machinery dating back more than four decades.
Mr Smith acknowledged the limitations but said the technology currently used by the force is still “really good”.
While enforcement is handled by the Home Affairs Minister, the responsibility for the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law sits with the Infrastructure Minister.