The son of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver high on drugs has welcomed plans for a legal crackdown.
Justice minister Michael Matheson has announced he will bring in new laws limiting the amount of drugs drivers can have in their system before getting behind the wheel.
Roadside drug testing will also be introduced in a new package to come before the Scottish Parliament this year and which could be in force by 2019.
The changes were greeted with delight by Hendry Robertson from Inverness who lost his father Kenneth in a hit-and-run crash in 2013.
The driver, Paul Mowatt, was high on a cocktail of cannabis, methadone and Valium at the time.
Mr Robertson, 69, who runs the Park Guest House on Glenurquhart Road in Inverness, said: “It’s fantastic news and could not have come too soon.
“I wasn’t expecting to hear action would be taken this week so it’s just brilliant.
“I’m very grateful the Press and Journal has taken up the issue and highlighted just how important this issue is.
“This is a really lovely surprise at the end of the week.”
He said: “This really is a big problem and the experience in England and Wales has been a drop due to this deterrent, which we haven’t had before.
“I’m really thankful we’re heading in the same direction and I’m hopeful lots of people will be impacted positively.”
Mr Robertson’s father Kenneth died from his injuries a month after the crash, weeks short of his 90th birthday, but he has forgiven the driver.
Mowatt, 34, of Forfar, admitted causing his death by dangerous driving and was jailed for eight years and banned from driving for 15 years.
He later sent a letter to the grieving family from his cell at Shotts Prison expressing his remorse for his actions.
Mr Matheson said: “With the lower blood-alcohol limit well established, I want to give our law enforcement agencies enhanced powers to tackle drug-driving and so make our roads even safer.
“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.”
Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart, Labour, has campaigned for the change.
He said: “The main issue is to have a deterrent so people considering driving, who are impaired because of drugs, will think twice.
“No family should face the terrible consequences caused by drug driving and one death is one too many.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross, Conservative, said: “Under the SNP, Scotland was lagging behind other parts of the UK and the menace of drug-driving was going unpunished.
“We will keep the pressure on the SNP to ensure these reforms are introduced speedily so that everyone on our roads is safer.”
