Police on P.E.I. will soon have new powers to suspend the licence of drivers they believe are impaired by drug use.

Under the changes introduced in the legislature Tuesday if an officer suspects a driver is on drugs, and that person refuses or fails a sobriety test, their licence can be suspended immediately.

"We want to get them off the highway right at that moment," said Transportation Minister Rob Vessey.

"This gives the law enforcement officers the power to get them off our highways as soon as they detect them."

If the drivers are convicted they'll also face a long-term driving ban. Vessey said about 45 officers in the province are qualified to give the sobriety test.