Police Launch New Drug Test to Detect Drug-Impaired Drivers

COLOMBO (News 1st): Road accidents continue to be among the deadliest types of accidents, with drug-impaired driving identified as a major contributing factor.

To address this, the police have announced the introduction of a Mouth Swab Test to detect drivers under the influence of drugs, effective from today.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadeera, said the test will screen for 12 different types of drugs, enabling authorities to identify drug-impaired drivers and easily produce them before a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) when necessary.

DIG Senadeera added that the Mouth Swab Test will initially be implemented as a pilot project, approved and guided by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in the Colombo, Colombo Central, Colombo North, and Colombo South police divisions.

The police further stated that after the pilot phase, the test will be rolled out nationwide. 

Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs will continue to be tested and handled according to existing procedures, and will be produced before a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) as per regular procedures.