Roadside testing kits rolled out in bid to catch drug drivers on Scotland's roads

Police officers in parts of Scotland are using roadside testing kits to catch more drug drivers.

Training has been delivered as part of a pilot to give local officers in East Ayrshire and North Aberdeenshire the ability to use Drug Wipe – a mouth swab drug detection kit – that gives an instant result when checking for cannabis and cocaine.

Drivers will still be taken to a police station for a blood test that can detect other substances. It is then sent away to a laboratory and if appropriate, a case prepared for court.

Drug driving offences have risen by 60% in the past three years and is now almost higher than drink driving. In 2024, there were 2,971 drug driving offences identified by roadside testing compared to 1,852 in 2022.

Roadside Drug Wipe was unveiled in Scotland in 2019 and is currently only available to road policing officers. This pilot builds on an initial six-month pilot in Shetland that took place in December 2024.

East Ayrshire and North Aberdeenshire were chosen for several reasons, including the prevalence of drug driving in those areas.

The latest pilot will be evaluated as Police Scotland continues to work closely and carefully with Scottish Police Authority laboratories to ensure testing capacity can be managed. All police officers can use other legislation to deal with potential drug drivers.

A desire to increase the use of roadside drug testing is part of the chief constable’s 2030 vision for policing in Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, head of road policing, said: “Providing more police officers with roadside drug test wipes strengthens our ability to catch drug drivers.

“While there is other legislation that officers can use, a roadside drug detection kit gives an instant result and sends a clear message. If you take drugs and drive, putting the lives of other people at risk, you will be caught.

“I’d like to thank the ongoing support of the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services and wider criminal justice system.”

Fiona Douglas, director of forensic services, said: “SPA Forensic Services are working closely with Police Scotland, as the police service seeks to expand the use of Drug Wipes, so we can better understand their future requirements for drug driving testing.

“We are committed to support justice in Scotland and keep our communities safe and protected from drug drivers and the danger they cause on our roads.”

The pilot will run from October 24, 2025 until the end of March 2026.