Teenage A55 driver spotted 'doing balloons' behind wheel of car

A teenager was spotted inhaling laughing gas while driving on the A55 on Anglesey. The 18-year-old was reported to police by motorists who’d seen him “doing balloons” at the wheel of his car.

The gas, nitrous oxide, is a class C controlled substance usually inhaled from a balloon. Acting on the information received, North Wales Police traffic officers caught up with the driver in Gwynedd near Tal-y-Bont.

The Bangor teenager was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. A 17-year-old passenger was also in the car and he was taken to a relative’s house.

READ MORE: Driver banned and hit with £1,100 court bill for shocking speed limit breach on North Wales road

READ MORE: Update issued on FBI 'most wanted' terrorist captured in Wales

Three nitrous oxide canisters were discovered in the vehicle. The NWP Roads Policing Unit said: “Thank you to those who called us - your calls really do make a difference.

“Possession of this “laughing gas” is illegal, with consequences including an unlimited fine, a visible community punishment, a caution (which would appear on their criminal record) and, for repeat serious offenders, a prison sentence.”

Laws surrounding the possession and use of nitrous oxide were tightened last November amid growing concerns over its misuse. According to the NHS, the gas had become the third most used drug in England and Wales.

An Office for National Statistics report estimated that, in these two countries, around 230,000 young people had inhaled the "harmful substance" in the year ending June 2022. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

Nitrous oxide can make people giggly, light-headed or dizzy. It can also cause headaches and make some users anxious or paranoid. Taken in excess, nitrous oxide can cause a person faint or lose consciousness.

Using nitrous oxide can cause neurological harms. It is also cited a root cause of anti-social issues in communities.

Some uses of nitrous oxide remain legitimate, such as providing pain relief in dentistry. It is also used legally by manufacturers, such as food packaging, and in catering as a whipped cream propellant.

Hobbyists also use it in activities such as motorsport drag racing and model rocketry. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

Find crime figures for your area