A MOTHER whose daughter was killed by a "grossly reckless" driver high on amphetamines has backed a new campaign for tougher drug driving laws in Scotland.

Janice Ward, from Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire, said it was vital that the police were able to carry out roadside testing for drivers under the influence of drugs in order to "get them off the road".

Mrs Ward lost her only child, 20-year-old Rachael, in 2010 when she was struck head-on by a motorist who was speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road and racing another car. The High Court in Edinburgh later heard that Brian Redfern was on a "high dose of amphetamines" which Lord Tyre said had "contributed to your recklessness on this occasion and was a causative factor" in the crash.

Redfern was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving but the indictment did not include a charge of being under the influence of drugs.

Mrs Ward said: "It was mentioned in court but it wasn't classed as a crime. He wasn't charged with taking drugs and driving.

"If he had been charged with that as well then maybe his sentence would have been more realistic. He got seven years and only did just over four. He should still be locked up in jail - that really angers us.

"But the whole point of the procedure should be to get them off the road before they do any damage. It's too late when they've taken someone's life. They don't just ruin our life, they ruin their own family's lives as well."

It comes amid calls today from the Scottish Conservatives for an overhaul of Scotland's drug driving legislation. The Tories want fixed legal limits for pharmaceutical medications, zero tolerance for illegal drugs, and the roll out of roadside drug testing kits which enable police to detect motorists for cannabis and cocaine from saliva samples. They can also screen for other drugs, including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin, at the police station.

The new rules came into force in England and Wales in March 2015, but under Scots law prosecutors still have to prove that a motorist's driving is "impaired by drugs" - not simply over a safe, legal limit, as with alcohol.

Mrs Ward added: "What's the point of testing someone for drink driving and then letting them drive off when they might have drugs in their system? They don't know if they're not testing them. A lot of young people do take drugs rather than drink. They don't realise that they can do as much damage."

Nearly 14,000 arrests were made across England and Wales in the first year under the new law, with an 800 per cent increase in one force area. Conviction rates for drug driving have also increased.

Neil Greig, the Scotland based head of policy for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said a law change here was "long overdue". He added: "I can see no reason for further delay. It's working well in England, it's catching a lot of people, it's helping to stop other criminal activity among drug dealers and the roadside equipment seems to be working well.

"There is a need for some investment in the equipment and police budgets are stretched, but I'd have thought the police would welcome having another tool in armoury to fight drug dealers and impaired drivers."

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservatives’ justice spokesman said: “The evidence is clear - drug driving is just as dangerous as drink driving. Yet in Scotland, the government has simply failed to respond to this menace on our roads. We need immediate action now to bring a halt to the growing number of deaths and injuries caused by people on drugs getting behind the wheel."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “Scotland has long standing legislation used by Police Scotland, prosecutors and our courts that makes it an offence to drive while being impaired due to drugs. We prioritised lowering the drink-driving limit in 2014 as evidence showed such a policy could help save lives. We are considering very carefully whether evidence shows that specific drug driving limits should be introduced in Scotland.”