Denmark has introduced strict new penalties for driving under the influence of nitrous oxide. The substance now appears on the country's official narcotics list alongside cocaine and LSD. Police can now charge drivers with drug driving if blood tests show any trace of laughing gas.
The change follows a fatal accident in August where a 65-year-old man lost his life. Authorities had long promised action against nitrous oxide driving. Now they deliver with what Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen calls a three-step approach to tougher sentencing.
Drivers caught with nitrous oxide in their system face immediate license suspension for three years. They must also pay fines and complete a mandatory course about alcohol, drugs and traffic safety. The course costs 3,200 Danish kroner. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties.
Minister Danielsen explained the new approach in an official statement. This first step makes nitrous oxide driving illegal under narcotics laws. The second step will define nitrous oxide involvement in fatal accidents as reckless driving. The third step increases penalties for involuntary manslaughter by 33 percent.
Nitrous oxide presents unique challenges for law enforcement. The substance creates a brief high and leaves the system quickly. Police previously needed to prove the gas caused specific accidents. Now they operate under zero tolerance rules.
The minister addressed evidence concerns directly. He said authorities now consider any measurable nitrous oxide in blood tests as impairment. Police can detect the substance for about one hour after use.
Denmark's largest motorist organization FDM welcomes the stricter rules. Political chief Torben Lund Kudsk expressed relief that legislation finally arrived. He noted the long delay in creating these regulations.
Kudsk emphasized practical enforcement needs. He stressed that different police districts require rapid blood testing capabilities. The gas disappears from the system so quickly that delays could undermine the law.
The success depends on providing extra resources to police. Officers need proper equipment and training to implement the new rules effectively.
Insurance company Gjensidige supports the regulatory change. They reference police statistics showing over 900 charges for illegal nitrous oxide possession in early months. More than 1,100 total cases emerged throughout the year.
Between January 2023 and January 2025, police recorded over 16,000 drug driving charges. These numbers demonstrate why authorities consider the new law necessary.
The delayed implementation raises questions about political will. Former Justice Minister Matthias Tesfaye and Transport Minister Trine Bramsen announced zero tolerance plans back in 2022. The current government now follows through after years of discussion.
Minister Danielsen acknowledged the complicated process. He said authorities needed time to resolve detection and measurement issues. Now they believe they have workable solutions.
This legal change reflects growing concern about recreational drug use among drivers. It also shows how Nordic countries continuously update traffic safety regulations. Denmark joins other European nations tightening controls on nitrous oxide.
The practical effects remain uncertain. Police must adapt quickly to enforce the new standards. Drivers need clear information about the serious consequences they now face.