Motorists involved in serious collisions will face mandatory drug testing under new legislation to be introduced by the government. Currently motorists involved in road accidents are only subject to mandatory alcohol testing.
The initiative being introduced by Minister of State Jack Chambers will involve the introduction of new roadside equipment that can test for drugs which is already being used by the Gardaí.
Minister Chambers said he has asked officials in the Department of Transport as part of the legislative group to progress work in order that the necessary legislative changes can be drafted.
It is currently mandatory for Gardaí to conduct a test for drink driving after serious road collisions but not mandatory for them to conduct drug-driving tests.
Yesterday the Tánaiste Micheál Martin said there is evidence emerging of increased drug taking by drivers and there is an anomaly in the current legislation around testing.
