THE Sunday Herald campaign calling for a crackdown on drug-driving in Scotland has been praised after Government Ministers announced plans to introduce new limits and roadside testing.

The issue was brought into the spotlight in January after this newspaper revealed research which shocked the shocking toll of drug-driving on Scotland’s roads. The study showed the same number of drivers had died on roads after taking cannabis as those who died after drinking.

A series of stories also highlighted how Scotland was lagging behind England and Wales, which introduced drug-driving limits and roadside ‘drugalyser’ tests two years ago.

Last month figures uncovered by the Sunday Herald showed just 74 drivers in Scotland had lost their licences in Scotland for driving under the influence of drugs since 2015 – compared to more than 14,000 in England and Wales.

Sir Peter North, the author of a landmark review which led to the introduction of drug-driving limits in England and Wales, called for Scotland to take action on the issue as a matter of urgency. And the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland also called for measures to reduce levels of drug-driving on the nation's roads.

On Friday Justice Secretary Michael Matheson announced plans for new drug-driving limits and roadside tests will be introduced in Scotland in 2019.

David Stewart, Labour MSP for Highland and Islands and a veteran road safety campaigner, who has long called for drug-driving limits, said it was vindication for the Sunday Herald’s campaign.

“I am absolutely delighted government has seen sense and followed the lead of England and Wales by bringing in drug-driving limits," he said. “I see this legislative change making a huge difference to road safety. There has been too many tragic cases involving drug-driving.

“We need to see drug-driving in the same way as drink-driving.”

He added: “I would like to congratulate the Sunday Herald for the fantastic campaign. It has been an example of a successful campaigning which has led to change from Government.”

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said calls by the Sunday Herald and other road safety bodies had finally lead to a clear promise of action against drivers under the influence of illegal drugs.

“The legislation and technology used in England has proven very effective so it should not take long to transfer that knowledge and experience into Scottish law and practice,” he said.

“Not only have drug-drive laws down south led to thousands of successful prosecutions but it has helped police to target a wide range of other drug related criminal activities.

“Scotland has led the way on drink drive limits and it made no sense to continue to delay a similar crackdown on drugs.”

Margaret Dekker, secretary of Scotland's Campaign Against Irresponsible Drivers, said it was good news roadside drug testing is moving forward in Scotland.

But she said it was disappointing it will take another two years for it to be implemented, given that all the preparatory work had already been carried out in England and Wales. She added: “Victims find this delay bewildering and unacceptable.”

Gary Rae, campaigns director for road safety charity Brake, said: “We welcome the news that the Scottish government has plans to introduce new tests for drivers who maybe under the influence of illegal drugs.

“This is a bigger problem than most people realise. It’s vital that Police Scotland has the resources to tackle this issue.

“There has to be a zero tolerance approach to drug driving; we hope this will make it clear that driving on any amount of drugs won’t be tolerated.”

Ministers will seek approval from MSPs later this year before the law is introduced in 2019.

Matheson said on Friday: "While it is a long-standing offence to drive while impaired by drugs, by introducing new drug-driving limits and roadside testing for the presence of drugs, we will strengthen the ability of our police and prosecutors to tackle the minority of drivers who recklessly put other road users and themselves at risk.

"Under the new offence, evidence of impaired driving will not be required, with our law enforcement agencies instead able to investigate and prosecute on the basis of a driver being above the specified limits for individual drug types.”

"Subject to Parliament's agreement and once the new regime is in force, Scotland will be at the forefront of efforts across the UK to tackle drivers who either drink or take drugs – with both the lowest drink-drive limit operating in these islands and drug-driving limits in place."