Almost 200 drivers high on drugs have been caught at the wheel by a new Gwent Police roadside drug test.

A new ‘DrugWipe’ testing kit detects dangerous drugs such as cannabis and cocaine in as little as three minutes.

Gwent Police have so far used over 300 of the £18 wipes, with 190 drivers being found with drugs in their system. So far, 59 motorists have been banned from the road.

The Home Office estimates that as many as 200 people are killed on UK roads each year by drivers high at the wheel.

Inspector Arwel Hicks, said officers were trained to recognise the giveaway signs of drug-driving, adding that drug-impaired motorists present a significant risk to other road users.

“I have been present on one such occasion when a motorist was stopped and subjected to the test.  The test in itself, given the three minutes it takes to recover a result, was harrowing for the motorist as he could potentially see his licence going and his employment being placed in jeopardy.

“Although the test was negative, the driver stated it was the longest three minutes of his life and had a real impact on his attitude to the lifestyle choices he was making,” he said.

Drivers using drugs will see red lines on the device, indicating a positive reading. They are then hauled to a police station for a blood test.

Of those caught, 26 are awaiting a court appearance, whilst another 35 are waiting on results from the police lab.

Young men under 25, and using cannabis, are the most likely to be caught.

Police ask anyone with information, or that believe someone may be driving whilst drunk or on drugs to call 101. ?