Police Roll Out New Tests To Detect Drug Driving

Officers from the police’s traffic branch have been equipped with new drug detection tests, which they say will save time and enhance objectivity when stopping drivers suspected to be intoxicated.

The Rapid Oral Fluid Test (ROFT) will determine the presence of heroin, ketamine, MDMA, cannabis, cocaine or methamphetamines within 10 minutes of a specimen being obtained from a driver, the force said.

Officers from the traffic branch took part in a one-day workshop to familiarise themselves with the tests, and will start using them from midnight on Thursday.

Acting senior superintendent Wilson Ng said the new test enhances efficiency.

“The traditional method includes roadside observation and police station impairment test that consume a lot more time,” said Ng.

“The traditional method will take up about half an hour, while the current ROFT device take a maximum of 8 to 10 minutes, so that save a lot of time.”

Ng also said the new test enhances objectivity.

The force said the new test is more than 80 percent accurate, and can detect whether a person has taken the illegal drugs in the past two to three days.

However, the police said that one limitation of the tests is that a red line indicating a positive result on the test device only lasts for around 10 minutes.

The police say officers will therefore need to take a picture of the result for their records and as evidence in future legal proceedings.