Almost half of drivers being tested by new kits are found to be drug driving
The proportion of men and women testing positive for substances like cocaine and cannabis is roughly equal
Last updated 6th Nov 2025
Almost half of drivers in Devon and Cornwall are now failing roadside drugs tests, after being stopped by police.
The force has increased the number of officers now carrying the equipment - with roughly equal proportions of men and women testing positive.
Police say the youngest male to fail the test was a 16 year old motorcyclist and cannabis user in Newquay - with the youngest female an 18 year old cocaine user in Newton Abbot.
During the first six months of this year, 45 per cent, or 557 drug drive tests, were positive out of the 1,245 drivers stopped. Police say 44 per cent of the 1,087 men stopped tested positive and 49 per cent of the 158 women tested also failed.
Patrol Inspector Wes Watkins said: “There has been a noticeable uplift in the detection of drug driving already, with three proactive arrests made on one night alone which resulted in further offences being identified, including drug supply and handling stolen goods.
"When officers detect a moving traffic offence, attend a road traffic collision or suspect a driver may be impaired they will pull the vehicle over and ask the driver to provide a sample of saliva. The test will then detect illegal drugs such as cocaine and cannabis within minutes."