The number of individuals arrested for being under the influence of drugs while in charge of a vehicle has been highlighted following a change in the law that came into force in March.

A freedom of information request was sent by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) to every police force in England and Wales, and the responses have highlighted the considerable number of drivers that are falling foul of the new offence of 'driving with a specified controlled drug in the body above the specified limit for that drug'.

In total, 902 arrests were recorded during the first two months following the offence's introduction, with an average of individual forces making one arrest every three days.

However, an issue to have emerged through the IAM's focus on drug-driving arrests to date is the current disparity in cases that are being witnessed across different parts of the country.

The Metropolitan Police recorded the lion's share of arrests in the first two months following the introduction of this new offence with 202. However, this contrasts with Leicestershire Police, Warwickshire Police and Gwent Police, which are all yet to make an arrest.

Responding to the data, IAM chief executive Sarah Sillars commented: "We are delighted that the legislation has been introduced and people are being caught.

"We have reached a point where drink-driving has become socially unacceptable, particularly among younger people. We now need a sustained campaign to back up the police enforcement effort and ensure drug-driving is seen in exactly the same way."

The IAM chief added that the wide variation in arrest numbers should be cause for concern, as it is not believed to be a true representation of the motoring environment across the country.

Drivers should not be lulled into a false sense of security that this is a problem confined to certain areas, and those forces that are yet to clamp down on the issue of drug-driving are therefore being encouraged to do so.