Nuneaton’s MP, Marcus Jones, has welcomed the progress made by Government to tackle drug driving and comes as the first mobile drug-testing device has been approved for use on drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

During a recent meeting at Nuneaton Justice Centre with the Policing Minister, Mike Penning MP, together with a Police Inspector, a Police Constable and a Police Community Support Officer, Mr Penning showed the town’s MP and the police the new device, which will be available for use by police forces from April 2015.

The device, known as Drugwipe, is the first portable device that can detect the presence of cannabis and cocaine - two of the most common substances used by drug drivers - by analysing a small quantity of saliva.

It is estimated as many as 200 people a year are killed by drivers impaired by drugs and Drugwipe will be used to enforce the existing offence of driving whilst impaired as well as a new drug driving offence set to come into force in March.

The penalty under the new offence will be 12 months disqualification, a fine up to £5,000 and up to six months in prison or both. The new law sets limits for eight illegal drugs - cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide, methylamphetamine and MDMA at very low levels.

Commenting, Marcus said: “It is long overdue that drug driving be treated as the criminal offence that it is. It is highly dangerous to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and this new device will make it possible for the police to test suspected drivers on the roadside. It is a further sign that the Government is committed to making our roads safer for everyone.”

The Minister for Policing, Mike Penning MP, said: “Drug drivers are a menace and must be stopped. It has long been my ambition as Roads Safety Minister and now as Minister for Policing to take further action on drug driving and this new device will help police forces throughout the country to catch those who choose to drive under the influence of drugs.

"Those who get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs not only put their own lives at risk, but also those of innocent pedestrians, motorists and their passengers.

“I was very grateful to have the opportunity to meet with Marcus and Nuneaton Police to discuss Drugwipe and to show them the device first hand.”