During the Christmas 2015 drink and drug drive campaign, 1,888 drug screening tests were carried out in just one month across England and Wales, and nearly 50% were positive showing how well the police have been in targeting suspected offenders.

Provisional figures show that in Cheshire alone officers arrested eight times as many suspected drug drivers than in 2014, with over 530 from March 2015 to January 2016 – up from 70 in the whole of the previous year.

Cheshire Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: “Cheshire Police’s figures speak for themselves. We have taken a no nonsense approach to using this new legislation as part of our wider work to target criminals who use our road networks.

“Under the new drug-driving laws once suspects are charged, 98% have been convicted – compared to 80% for the old offence.”

To mark the first anniversary of the new offence, the Government is launching a new advertising campaign targeted at young men who are most likely to drug drive – to make it clear that if you drug drive, you’re more likely to be caught and convicted as a result of the roadside swab.

Road Safety Minister Andrew Jones said: “Thanks to our tougher law, police are catching and convicting more dangerous drivers.

“The Government will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with police as they work tirelessly to protect the public while recognising enforcement alone is not the answer. We need to educate and influence behaviour change which is why we are pushing on with our THINK! campaign, which has helped change attitudes towards drink-driving and ultimately save lives.”

RAC chief engineer David Bizley also commented on the new drug drive arrest figures, saying that they show that the new roadside testing equipment is really making a difference.

“Enforcement is always most effective as a deterrent when combined with information and education and therefore the latest THINK! drug driving campaign is timely and well directed.”