OFFICERS in Warrington will now be equipped with roadside drug wipes following the introduction of new law to crack down on drug drivers.

A new law has come into force today, Monday, in England and Wales making it illegal to drive after taking certain drugs.

Superintendent Bev Raistrick said: "This law will make it much easier for the constabulary to process and prosecute suspected drug drivers.

"Under the current regulations to prosecute a suspected drug driver we have to prove that they are unfit to drive through the influence of illegal drugs.

"Whereas, under the new laws we can prosecute the driver if they are found to be in charge of a motor vehicle with a concentration of an illegal drug over the specified limit in their body."

As well as being equipped with roadside drugs wipes, which can determine whether or not a driver has cannabis or cocaine in their system, officers will also have access to drugs testing machines in the force's custody suites.

Officers will continue to use the traditional roadside FIT test to determine whether or not they believe someone is driving under the influence of illegal drugs.

Anyone who is caught drug driving faces the prospect of a minimum 12 month driving ban, a fine of up to £5000 and up to a year in prison.