Roadside Drug Testing Device Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Company Analysis, Regional Insights and Forecast 2021-2030

The global roadside drug testing devices market size is predicted to be worth around US$ 1.2 billion by 2030, according to new report study.

The global roadside drug testing devices market size was valued at US$ 700 Mn in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2021 to 2030.

The roadside drug testing devices market is projected for exponential growth in North America. Lack of efficient DUI laws in the U.S. are fueling the demand for drug testing devices. Manufacturers are increasing efforts to meet the demand for breath analyzers that can detect extremely low quantities of THC analytes.

Increased research spending has become the key focus point of companies in the market landscape. However, incidences of false positives from poppy seeds and tea in drug testing devices act as barriers for market growth. Hence, manufacturers should develop devices that can differentiate between drugs or alcohol and food items that are merely in the system of an individual.

A Key Driver

• Roadside drug testing devices have already been adopted by the police force, with the introduction of a large number of new breathalyzer devices
• Recent advancements by providers of drug, alcohol, and disease-testing products offer police with a robust set of roadside testing tools for the detection of alcohol and drug classes such as amphetamine, benzodiazepines, cannabis (THC), cocaine, methamphetamine, and opiates
• New tests, such as paper spray mass spectrometry, analyze molecules in a fingerprint. As the body metabolizes a drug, it excretes molecules, which can (apparently) be detected in fingerprints by using the mass spectrometry method. The method works even after the hands are washed. Hence, there is no ‘coming clean’ with a quick trip to the sink. Researchers report99% of accuracy rate by using this method.
• Increase in the burden of drug and alcohol abuse and technological advancements have resulted in the adoption of portable roadside drug testing devices. Thus, rise in the demand for portable or handheld roadside drug testing devices is expected to propel the global roadside drug testing devices market during the forecast period.

Driving Simulators Help in Conducting Successful Clinical Trials

As suggested by the Swinburne University of Technology, drug users are apparently surpassing the number of alcohol consumers in Australia, resulting in high rates of fatal crashes. Hence, companies in the roadside drug testing devices market should tap opportunities in Australia to increase the uptake of detection devices. Likewise, companies in the market for roadside drug testing devices are collaborating with researchers to increase R&D in psychology and neurosciences to ascertain if drivers under the influence of cannabis are more likely to meet with an accident, as compared to alcohol consumers.

With the introduction of driving simulators, companies in the roadside drug testing devices market are able to conduct better analysis of cognitive behavior and psychomotor functioning of individuals through the help of clinical trials. Companies in the market for roadside drug testing devices are gaining important insights through research findings carried out as a result of collaborations between universities and medical institutes.

Breathalyzers with Nanotechnology Sensors a Gold Standard for Detection of THC

Breathalyzers are becoming increasingly mainstream in the detection of alcohol in the roadside drug testing devices market. However, there is a growing need for breathalyzers that are also capable of detecting marijuana. Hence, researchers in the market for roadside drug testing devices are increasing R&D to develop novel breathalyzers that detect THC. For instance, an interdisciplinary team at the University of Pittsburgh, developed a breathalyzer using nanotechnology sensors that detect THC. Thus, innovative breathalyzers are increasingly becoming the gold standard for THC detection and manufacturers should collaborate with researchers to innovate in devices. This trend has supported the exponential growth of THC among other substance types in the roadside drug testing devices market.

Companies in the roadside drug testing devices market are increasing research in developing breathalyzers using carbon nanotubes and nanotechnology sensors to meet requirements of mass spectrometry. This trend is prominent in the U.S. since legalization of recreational marijuana has raised concerns about the enforcement of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) laws in the region.

Stringent Law Enforcement to Drive Adoption of Advanced Roadside Drug Testing Devices

Drug-impaired driving has emerged as a major public health issue. Alcohol and psychoactive drugs affect an individual’s ability to drive a motor vehicle safely. Increase in number of drug and alcohol abusers across the world presents significant opportunities for the test providers and manufacturers of drug abuse test products. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs create an economic burden of nearly US$ 740 Bn in the U.S. in terms of related costs, lost work productivity, and healthcare. Technological advancements related to sample collection and efforts of manufacturers to create easy-to-use disposable test kits are expected to increase the demand for drug abuse testing products. Manufacturers focus on using samples other than urine such as sweat and hair, which are less embarrassing for individuals tested for drug abuse. Manufacturers also focus on development of rapid tests that provide faster results, are easy to use, and affordable compared to the tests conducted in laboratories.

Large Target Population

• Increase in the number of drug and alcohol abusers across the world is expected to provide significant opportunities to test providers and manufacturers of drug abuse test products in the near future. According to the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, over 5% of the global population aged between 15 and 64 years uses illicit drugs. Moreover, nearly 32.4 million people worldwide use pharmaceutical opioids and opiates such as opium or heroin.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 4.7% of people aged 16 years or above in the U.S. are reported to be driving under the influence of marijuana and 0.9% are reported to be driving under the influence of illicit drugs other than marijuana.
• Rise in target population and increase in government initiatives to control road accidents and fatalities in various countries are likely to drive the global roadside drug testing devices market during the forecast period

Inaccurate Results to Hamper Roadside Drug Testing Devices Market

• Concerns about the efficacy and efficiency of roadside drug testing devices have increased over the last few years. For instance, in a study, which included over 300 Norway-based drivers who were tested for impairment by using both the oral device as well as the blood sample, it was found that the ratio of false-positive results generated by the device to findings of the blood sample was 14.5% for cannabis and 87.1% for cocaine.
• Inaccurate results (false-positive or false-negative results) associated with roadside drug testing devices are projected to restrain the global roadside drug testing devices market during the forecast period

Devices for Testing Alcohol Abuse to Witness High Demand

In terms of substance, the alcohol segment held major share of the global roadside drug testing devices market in 2020. The segment is projected to dominate the global market during the forecast period. The alcohol segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2021 to 2030. Rise in consumption of alcohol and increase in incidence of driving under the influence of alcohol accelerate the growth of the global roadside drug testing devices market. Moreover, increase in approvals of roadside drug testing devices and rise in the impact of alcohol abuse on public health contribute to the growth of the global market.

Breath Analyzers to Lead Global Market

Based on sample type, the others segment, which includes breath, hair, and blood, accounted for significant share of the global roadside drug testing devices market in 2020. The segment is expected to expand at a moderate CAGR during the forecast period. Breath is the most common sample used for the detection of alcohol. Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among drivers. According to data provided by the European DRUID project, alcohol is used by 3.48% drivers, illicit drugs by 1.90%, medicinal drugs by 1.36%, drug-drug combination by 0.39%, and alcohol-drug combination by 0.37%. The saliva segment is likely to witness strong growth during the forecast period. Roadside oral fluid or saliva testing is primarily being used in several countries to detect the presence of drugs. Countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, and Australia use saliva testing for identification of individuals driving under the influence of drugs (DUID).

Prominent Regions

North America held major share of the global roadside drug testing devices market in 2020. The market in the region is driven by presence of key players, high prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol & illicit drugs, and growth strategies adopted by market players, including product approvals and launch, mergers, and acquisitions. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, around 20.5 million people in the U.S. were reported driving under the influence of alcohol in 2020. Europe held the second largest share of the global roadside drug testing devices market in 2020. Growth of the roadside drug testing devices market in the region can be attributed to rise in cases of driving under the influence of alcohol and increase in government initiatives to control road accidents & fatalities in various countries in Europe. Asia Pacific accounted for significant share of the global roadside drug testing devices market in 2020. The market in the region is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. According to various studies, alcohol consumption is rising across Asia Pacific. Heavy episodic (binge) alcohol use has increased significantly in China, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Rise in use of alcohol and other illicit drugs in the region is anticipated to drive the market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. Moreover, implementation of strict driving laws in different countries in Asia Pacific can be attributed to the growth of the market in the region.

Key Players

Prominent players operating in the global roadside drug testing devices market are Drägerwerk AG & Co. KgaA, Abbott Laboratories, Oranoxis, Inc., CareHealth America, MAVAND Solutions GmbH, Pacific Data Systems Pty Ltd., Securetec, and UriTox, LLC.

Market Segmentation

By Substance

• Drugs
  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamine
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Opioids
  • Others
• Alcohol

By Sample Type

• Saliva
• Sweat
• Urine
• Others

By Modality

• Handheld
• Standalone

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa