Roadside devices to detect drugs-use by motorists are to be introduced next year, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil.

He said a procurement process would start “in the coming months” for the provision of roadside devices to detect drugs. Mr Varadkar also told the Dáil that the next road traffic Bill, to be introduced in 2014, “will strengthen the legal provisions relating to driving in an impaired state as a consequence of taking drugs”.

He was responding to party colleague Paul Connaughton, who said “there are a huge number of people driving every day under the influence of illicit drugs, but there are also many thousands driving around while extremely impaired through the use of legal drugs”.

Mr Connaughton expressed alarm that no comprehensive roadside drug-testing mechanism existed despite a 2008 study by Hibernian Insurance which found one in three young drivers in Ireland had driven under the influence of drugs.

The Galway East TD said increased drug-use was a facet of modern life. Huge resources had been invested in combating legal drugs such as alcohol, but little attention has been paid to the multitude of drivers under the influence of stimulants and sedatives, he said.

“Whether it is Valium, Xanax, morphine or codeine, to date those drivers have faced little prospect of detection, while undeniably being a serious menace on our roads,” he said.

Mr Connaughton was speaking during debate on the Road Traffic (No 2) Bill which cuts the penalty points disqualification limit from 12 to six for novice drivers. Motorists qualified for less than two years will be required to carry an “N-plate” on their vehicle. The legislation also allows for blood to be taken from an incapacitated driver after a collision.

The Minister has accepted an amendment from Fianna Fáil transport spokesman Timmy Dooley allowing harsher jail and financial penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a crash. The Bill now goes to committee stage.