The dangerous increasing trend of driving whilst ‘doing balloons’.

Police officers across London are seeing a worrying trend of drivers inhaling Nitrous Oxide or ‘balloons’ as they are commonly known.

We are all sadly used to seeing these gas canisters strewn all over the floor by users who can buy them so easily. The gas is inhaled in the balloons and produces a quick rush of excitement or a momentarily feeling of high.

Social media videos frequently show drivers behind the wheel inhaling the gas as they drive and consequently causing road traffic collisions.

Sergeant Mark Clark from the Traffic Division based in Chadwell Heath, spoke to the Havering Daily about the dangers of driving and inhaling Nitrous Oxide.

“It is classified as Dangerous Driving or Careless Driving and comes under Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act that will see the driver disqualified.

“It is important for people to know that inhaling Nitrous Oxide and driving will cost you your licence.”

Sergeant Mark and his officers have sadly seen an increase in drivers using this drug.

“We attend many collisions where we see the gas canisters on the floor.

“This is classified as a drug and does cause a momentary high that can even cause a person to blackout that will result in the potential for a serious collision.

“Officers also witness piles of these canisters at traffic lights where drivers empty them out as they stop.

“We have seen serious collisions where there has been evidence of these drugs in the vehicle.”

Due to the easiness to buy these gas canisters, the use of them across our communities is on the up, but sadly to drive and inhale the gas at the same time is not only extremely irresponsible but could potentially have fatal consequences.

“We do give a clear message to drivers-if you use this drug and are stopped, you will lose your licence. If you cause a serious collision and your drug use if proven, you will go to prison.”

Officers are also seeing a particular age group using these drugs, Sergeant Mark added: “It is predominately those in the late teens to those in their late 20s that are inhaling the gas. We are sadly seeing an issue with people using it.”

Traffic officers are on our streets daily across London and their work is extremely challenging and invaluable to our communities. These are specialist officers that not only know the law extremely well, but have extensive knowledge of vehicles and their capabilities.

The message from Sergeant Mark and his traffic officers is clear, ‘use it and lose it’. Use the gas and drive and you will lose your licence.

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