The number of people charged with drug driving has more than doubled since new rules came into force.

After being introduced in March 2015, the use of the road-side drug screening devices has seen 140% more drivers caught driving under the influence of drugs, writes the Daily Mirror .

And while illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis are obviously included under drug driving laws, other drugs which induce drowsiness could cause problems too.

“New drug driving laws introduced early last year seem to be having an impact, with the number of drug driving arrests increasing by 140%,” said Confused.com motoring expert Matt Lloyd.

“This means more motorists who are found to have broken the law are being caught, which in turn will help to make our roads a safer place.

“There is however, another area for concern around the level of awareness amongst drivers when it comes to how certain medications can affect a person’s driving ability.”

Which legal medications could result in a drug driving charge?

  • amphetamine, eg dexamphetamine or selegiline
  • clonazepam
  • diazepam
  • flunitrazepam
  • lorazepam
  • methadone
  • morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, eg codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
  • oxazepam
  • temazepam