A campaign to introduce tougher laws to crackdown on drug-driving will be launched today – as figures reveal the number of deaths now match those for drink-driving.
New figures show the number of people on drugs dying at the wheel is now the same as the number fatalities who test positive for alcohol.
And the Scottish Conservatives have today claimed the law in Scotland is lagging behind England and Wales, as there is no specific limit to the amount of drugs a driver can take.
Justice spokesman Douglas Ross, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, demanded tougher laws and roadside drug-testing equipment for police.
He 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.
“We must also give our police the resources and equipment to put this into practice.
Retired farmer Kenneth Robertson was killed after being hit by Paul Mowatt – who was high on a cocktail of valium, cannabis and methadone at the time – on the B9113 Montrose to Forfar road in 2013.
The drug addict was jailed for eight years.
Mr Ross wants to see a prescribed limit for legal drugs, zero tolerance for driving on illegal drugs and roadside drug-testing kits.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the country had led the way on zero tolerance for alcohol use while driving and was currently considering drug-driving limit.
She said: “Scotland has longstanding 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.”
Family of victim back campaign
The son of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver high on drugs has backed calls for a crackdown.
Hendry Robertson, 69, runs the Park Guest House on Glenurquhart Road in Inverness.
Mr Robertson said he found it incredible anyone would consider getting behind the wheel on drugs.
He said: “It’s absolutely beyond my comprehension what the driver was thinking.
“Not only did he take drugs before he began driving but also whilst he was driving.
“My dad was just out for his daily walk, which he had been doing for I don’t know how many years, and this cost him his life.”
Tougher laws were well overdue, said Mr Robertson, who believes drug drivers should be tackled with the same zero tolerance as drink drivers.
He said: “It goes without saying tougher laws are well overdue.
“We’re seeing an increase in the use of drugs in all sorts of circumstances.
“Police should have the facility to test someone driving under the influence of drugs just as they can for alcohol.”
Mr Robertson stressed he believed in forgiveness and hoped this would help Mowatt’s rehabilitation.
He said: “It must be the worst thing possible for him to realise what he had done and I did forgive him.
“He sent me a letter saying my forgiveness had a huge impact on his family and his mum in particular.
“I do hope that’s another thing that helps but we need to try and stop people on drugs driving in the first place.”
