Drivers on laughing gas 'hard for police to catch'

Possession of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, was made a criminal offence in the UK, in 2023

Catching drivers at the wheel under the influence of nitrous oxide can be a "greater challenge" than those using other substances, West Midlands' police and crime commissioner has said.

Simon Foster warned the substance - also known as laughing gas - leaves the body quickly and he does not believe a test such as a breathalyser can detect it.

In 2023, 19-year-old driver Thomas Johnson killed three of his friends after he had inhaled the gas at the wheel, before driving his car at speeds up to 100mph and hitting a tree.

In December, he was jailed for nine years and four months after being convicted of three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The case came a year after driver Rohail Jillani inhaled the substance and filmed himself driving at almost 100mph, before he hit bridge, killing Nadia Yusuf, his 17-year-old passenger.

Speaking at a police and crime panel meeting Rashad Mahmood, Labour councillor for Birmingham's Sparkhill ward, also raised concerns over the issue.

Possession illegal since 2023

"How are we going to tackle the usage of nitrous oxide gas while driving? This has caused fatalities in the last few years," Mr Mahmood said.

"And how are we going to tackle the businesses which are selling nitrous oxide gas?"

Mr Foster pointed out that possession of laughing gas had become a criminal offence in late 2023, giving police greater powers against people who had or used the substance.

"However, in terms of being able to regulate the use of nitrous oxide by people who are driving, my understanding it's a greater challenge to do that for nitrous oxide than it is perhaps for other drink and drug-driving," he said.

"I don't think there is a test that can be used as there can, for example, in relation to a breathalyser or blood test for drug use."

He said there were other ways to tackle the issue, for example by working with the likes of trading standards to stop the supply of laughing gas, as well as educating people on the impact on health and the potential consequences of using it.