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Drug driving arrests have increased by 800% a year after the Government introduced new laws designed to catch and convict offenders, according to new Department for Transport figures.
The DfT cited statistics from Cheshire Police, which showed there was an increase of 800%, to 530 arrests compared to 70 in the previous year.
The drug drive law changes in England and Wales have made it illegal to drive with 17 controlled drugs above a specified limit in the blood.
Motorists who get behind the wheel after taking illegal drugs face a criminal record, loss of their licence for at least a year and an unlimited fine. It remains an offence to drive while impaired by any drug at any amount.
Drugs that motorists can be tested for at the roadside are cannabis and cocaine, while the evidential laboratory test can identify all the drugs covered by the law including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin.
Last year, a roadside swab test was introduced to make it easier to catch drug drivers, while police forces have been given an additional £1m to train officers, purchase drug screening equipment and pay for samples to be analysed.
"Thanks to our tougher law, police are catching and convicting more dangerous drivers," said road safety minster, Andrew Jones. "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," Jones added.
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