The announcement of new laws to make it easier for authorities to crack down on drug driving in the UK has been welcomed by road safety organisation Brake.

Roadside drug screening devices are soon to be approved for deployment and the upcoming Crime, Communications and Court Bill will reduce the need for police to prove impairment in order to test individuals.

Furthermore, the bill will introduce a fine of up to £5,000 and an up to 12-month driving ban for those found guilty of drug driving.

Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer, said: "Creating a new offence, as well as approving roadside drug screening devices by the end of 2012, will make an enormous difference in preventing drug driving crashes."

She added that an expert panel is now being employed to fill out the legal and technical specifics of implementing tougher anti-drug driving legislation in a bid to reduce the likelihood of offenders causing serious long-term damage to their victims.

According to figures from the Association of Chief Police Officers, 7,124 motorists were arrested during December 2011 for drink and drug driving offences in the UK.

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Posted by Sarah Godfrey