World-First ‘Laughing Gas’ Breathalyser Trialled By Police In Hampshire And Thames Valley

A cutting-edge breathalyser designed to detect nitrous oxide use is being trialled by police in Hampshire and the Thames Valley.

The device, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, is being tested to see whether it can help officers identify drivers who are under the influence of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or NOS.

If successful, the technology could help police prosecute motorists suspected of drug-driving after inhaling the substance.

Nitrous oxide is a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Offenders can face up to two years in prison for possessing it for unlawful use.

Police say driving under the influence of nitrous oxide is an emerging threat on UK roads, with the drug capable of causing unconsciousness, neurological damage and even death by depriving the brain of oxygen.

Officers have already seen fatal crashes linked to drivers using laughing gas.

One tragic case involved three teenage boys who died after a car crashed into a tree on the A415 in Oxfordshire in 2023. The 18-year-old driver, Thomas Johnson, was filmed inhaling laughing gas behind the wheel moments before the crash.

Johnson had been travelling at speeds of up to 100mph before the vehicle hit a tree in Marcham, killing passengers Ethan Goddard and Daniel Hancock, both 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17.

Acting Superintendent Emma Hart, from the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, said there is currently no device available that can prove a driver has inhaled laughing gas, making prosecution difficult.

She said:

“That is why our forces are leading this testing phase, to break new ground and prove these devices can help save lives on our roads.

“As a team we are always looking for new ways to make our roads safer.

Nitrous oxide is a growing issue, especially with young drivers who don’t understand the harm it can cause, so when we saw the opportunity to test this new technology we knew how important it could be towards these devices being rolled out across the country.

“It’s an extremely important technological innovation and we are at the forefront of this cutting-edge research for the benefit of all UK policing.”

The portable device was created by Respira Technologies following research at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

A user breathes into the device and receives a result within minutes. Crucially, it can detect whether someone has inhaled nitrous oxide up to two hours afterwards.

The trial has been funded through Test and Learn funding from the National Science and Innovation Board, part of the NPCC Science and Technology Strategy.

Officers across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Thames Valley will be testing the device until 5 June.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said it was an honour for the force to host the world-first trial.

She added:

“There is a worrying trend around the use of laughing gas by those aged 16-25, which was previously undetectable, with drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide putting themselves and others at risk of serious injury or death.

“We are seeing too many incidents with major consequences on our roads, and it is a proud moment for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police to lead the way for the rest of the country, and the rest of the world, in tackling this.

“One person’s actions behind the wheel can have a devastating impact in a split second, which is why I am focused on supporting road safety projects and proactive roads policing like this, to ensure our two counties have safer roads for everyone.”

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Posted: 2026-05-14T13:11:36+0000