Police in Copenhagen's western suburbs have charged a young woman with driving under the influence of nitrous oxide. Traffic officers stopped the female driver on Motorring 3 near Gladsaxe on Friday evening. The vehicle was moving erratically before the intervention.
Officers determined she appeared impaired during the traffic stop. They discovered a large nitrous oxide canister in the passenger seat. The woman faces multiple charges including possession of nitrous oxide and cannabis. She is also charged with driving under the influence of drugs and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
Authorities took the woman into custody following the incident. Police transported her to a nearby medical facility for blood testing. Forensic analysis of her blood sample will determine precise substance levels. Results typically require several weeks for processing.
This case represents one of the first major tests of Denmark's new zero-tolerance policy toward nitrous oxide driving. The law took effect just four days before this incident. It now treats nitrous oxide impairment equally with alcohol and drug intoxication behind the wheel.
Danish roads have seen increasing concerns about recreational nitrous oxide use among drivers. The substance causes immediate impairment that affects coordination and judgment. Police departments across the Copenhagen region have intensified patrols targeting substance-impaired driving.
The legal change reflects growing alarm about nitrous oxide's popularity at social gatherings. Young adults particularly favor the substance for its brief euphoric effects. Many users mistakenly believe it leaves their system too quickly for detection.
This enforcement action demonstrates Denmark's serious approach to road safety. The timing so soon after the new law's implementation suggests coordinated enforcement. Police likely received specific guidance about identifying nitrous oxide impairment during traffic stops.
International readers should note Denmark's strict stance on substance-impaired driving. The country maintains some of Europe's toughest penalties for driving under the influence. Visitors and residents face identical legal standards regarding intoxicating substances.
The case will proceed through Denmark's legal system once blood test results confirm initial suspicions. Convictions under the new legislation could establish important legal precedents. Other Nordic nations monitor Denmark's experiment with nitrous oxide regulation closely.
Road safety experts welcome the legislative action but question enforcement practicality. Nitrous oxide detection requires blood testing rather than simple breath analysis. This creates logistical challenges for traffic officers during roadside stops.
Denmark's approach contrasts with neighboring Sweden where nitrous oxide possession carries different legal status. The Nordic countries maintain individual substance policies despite close cooperation on other matters. Travelers should research specific national laws before crossing borders.