ROADS policing officers in Bradford are stepping up the fight against drug drivers, using new legislation and high-tech testing kits.

During a recent three-day operation, up to 20 drivers were drug tested, resulting in five being arrested for drug driving. One was found to be under the drug-drive limit, but the other four are being charged and taken to court.

Now police are warning motorists they will be targeting drug drivers over the New Year party season.

PC Cameron Buchan, of Bradford Police's Safer Roads department, said the recently introduced section 5a of the Road Traffic Act listed drugs, prescribed and illegal, which could affect a person's ability to drive, and allowed road traffic officers to test for them.

West Yorkshire Police has bought a number of drugs swipe kits, similar to pregnancy testing kits, which allow officers to do roadside checks for drugs in just ten seconds.

Police can test a driver, who is the subject of a routine stop, if they suspect they have used drugs.

PC Buchan said: "If we stop a vehicle because it is being driven too quickly or has a brake light out, and we can smell cannabis or the driver appears to be under the influence of something, we have the power to do a drugs test.

"The process is still in its infancy, but we have already had some good results. The procedure isn't quick. We take a sample of blood from the suspect at the police station and it is sent to a forensic laboratory to be examined.

"It is another string to our bow. We are doing a lot of testing for cannabis and cocaine. It is going to be a wake up call for people who historically have smoked cannabis and driven."

PC Buchan said he recently stopped a vehicle near to the Richard Dunn sports centre after smelling cannabis from the open windows of the car he was following.

"When we pulled the car over it absolutely reeked of cannabis. It was a posh BMW X6 series.There was a bunch of lads inside and the driver was in a flap. We tested him and his sample gave a zero reading. He was so relieved he leaned over and gave me a kiss!"

He added: "It has almost become a social recreation to smoke a joint, rather than a cigarette, and then drive. They know cannabis has been decriminalised and then criminalised and that the police are stretched.

"But our message is clear. If you take drugs and drive, we are going to catch you. There are 12 trained drug-drive officers. They are only a car drive away at any time. Drug driving is high on our agenda. We have the resources, the technology and the legislation. If we suspect you of drug driving, we will stop you."