Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Monday, 22 December 2014

The Guardian

• Drivers face roadside drug test in Christmas crackdownNew ‘drugalyser’ kits will allow police to test samples of saliva instantly to detect for illegal narcotics and legal highsA new roadside test could be used by police as part of a Christmas and New Year crackdown on drug-driving, a Home Office minister has indicated.The policing minister Mike Penning said motorists pulled over would not know whether they would be breathalysed, “drugalysedâ€� or both. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Heavy rains causes problems for motoristsHEAVY rain and wind caused problems for motorists yesterday as flash floods and surface water led to road closures.

Mail Online

• Police launch first roadside SALIVA test that can detect drugs Police will use saliva tests to determine whether motorists are under the influence of drugs behind the wheel as part of a festive season crackdown, approved last week by the Home Office.
• The great street light switch-off: 75 per cent of councils dimming lights to save cash amid fears of increased crime and road accidents  A dramatic rise in the number of street lights being switched off to save money has sparked fears of an increase in crime and road accidents.

This Is Local London Network

• Complaints over 'teething problems' with new Kingston Hospital parking regime The hospital bought in numberplate recognition services - the same kind used by police to catch motorists breaking the law - from ParkingEye, which claims to hold more than 40 per cent of the ANPR market.

Other Regional Press

• CitizenNews published Warnings of traffic chaos at Cribbs Causeway and in Wales as 12...TRAFFIC is expected to hit record levels today as millions look to make their way home for Christmas.The RAC has predicted more than 12 million cars will be on the UK's roads between December 24 to 26.An AA/Populus surgery of 16,165 AA members found 36 per cent will drive their car more than 20 miles today as the schools break up for the festive season and Christmas shopping hits a peak. Those hoping to pop across the Severn bridge are being warned Wales is expected to be one of the busiest...
• CitizenNews published Police to crackdown on drug drivers with new roadside testsPolice are to use saliva tests to determine whether motorists are under the influence of drugs behind the wheel as part of the crackdown on drink driving, including sleeping pills and strong painkillers.New roadside testing kits have been approved by the Home Office to allow officers to instantly test drivers for narcotics or even legal highs.It will allow them to check whether motorists have taken prescription medicines, including strong painkillers, sleeping pills and drugs to treat anxiety,...
• CitizenNews published Drink driving campaign in full swing in GloucestershireTHE crackdown on people taking the risk and drink driving when on nights out during the festive period is well under way in Gloucestershire.With Christmas celebrations in full swing, the Gloucester Citizen has investigated the police force's efforts to make sure motorists think about how much they are drinking before getting behind the wheel.Drink drive operations in Gloucestershire are primarily carried out by the volunteer wing of the force, the special constabulary.It means they can target...
• Christmas joy for motorists as roadwork schemes are halted IT’S the news that will be music to the ears of drivers planning to hit the road this Christmas.

EIN News Subscription

• State to miss deadline for driverless car regulations … testing prototypes on California’s roads, and regulators have questions: Do … standards to verify its safety. Absent standards, certifying safety would be like … for a European system, in which independent companies verify safety; or the … official, suggested the department do road testing. “I would be cautious …