Nitrous Oxide Misuse: Drivers

Baroness Pidgeon Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd September 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Pidgeon]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to address nitrous oxide misuse among drivers in urban areas.

[The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Hanson of Flint) (Lab)]

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, an individual is guilty of an offence if their ability to drive is being impaired by drink or drugs. The Government take road safety extremely seriously and are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed or injured on our roads. A number of police operations have focused on enforcement of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

[Baroness Pidgeon (LD)]

I thank the Minister for his Answer, but given the serious increase in this apparent trend of inhaling nitrous oxide through balloons while driving and the deadly danger this presents on our roads, what assessment have the Government made regarding additional powers and tools that may be needed to help detect and deter such drug-impaired driving?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

The noble Baroness raises an extremely important point. From the Department for Transport’s perspective, rather than that of the Home Office, which I answer for, there is currently development of a further road strategy. As part of that, the Government are considering a range of policies relating to motoring offences, such as drink-driving and drug-driving, and other matters of concern that have been raised. That strategy will be before Parliament and this House in an appropriate time.