Mandatory drug testing for drivers involved in serious road collisions is due to come into force this weekend.
At present, people involved in such incidents are only subject to mandatory alcohol testing.
The new measures, which will take effect from Saturday, are being introduced by Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers.
In the past, gardaí had discretionary power to test for drugs.
However with research indicating that the prevalence of drug driving is increasing, mandatory testing for drivers involved in road collisions is intended to discourage dangerous driving practices and ensure that all those who drive under the influence and are involved in a serious collision are detected.
Mr Chambers committed to introducing the new rules last September.
He will sign into law a provision of the Road Traffic Act, to give effect to the new measure.
Minister Chambers said: “Driving under the influence is one of the four main causes of road fatalities and it is simply unacceptable.
“Ensuring that enforcement by An Garda Síochána is underpinned by robust road traffic legislation is a priority for me and my department.”
An additional 10,000 Drugwipe test kits were purchased earlier this year to facilitate the new rules.
The tests usually take eight minutes to complete, but under this order there will be a maximum waiting period of 30 minutes for roadside drug testing.
The order is being introduced as part of the Road Traffic Act 2024, which was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins last month.
The act also legislates for default speed limits on urban, national secondary and rural or local roads as well as introducing other road safety measures which will be implemented in stages.
In April, a Policing Authority report looking at 2023 found concerns raised from some members of An Garda Síochána who, following a roadside test and arrest, must have a doctor carry out a blood test.
This is to confirm the presence of drugs or alcohol and is required in order to press charges.
However, the Policing Authority found there is a “widespread challenge in accessing doctors in a timely manner” and therefore, suspects are released without charge after a number of hours without a test.
