DORSET Police have issued a warning and expressed their disappointment that ‘drivers are continuing to risk people’s lives’ after figures revealed almost 50 motorists were arrested for drug driving since the introduction of new drug driving laws.

Legislation was brought in covering legal driving limits for 17 illegal and prescription drugs on March 2 last year.

Under the old laws, police had to show driving was impaired by drugs to prosecute.

The new drug driving laws made it a specific offence to drive after having certain drugs above prescribed levels.

Figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request reveal a total of 49 drivers were arrested for drug driving offences between March 2015 and April 2016 and subsequently 24 had been charged.

Ten of the drivers were arrested in west Dorset, five in Weymouth, one in north Dorset and one in Purbeck.

The highest number of drivers arrested were in Bournemouth with a total of 13 drivers, including seven who were later charged.

Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, head of the Alliance Road Policing team across Devon and Cornwall and Dorset Police, said: “Although the number of people arrested in Dorset may be low compared with other force areas, we are disappointed that drivers are continuing to risk people’s lives by getting behind the wheel after taking drugs.

“Evidence has shown that drugs can impair someone’s ability to drive and can cause collisions. The drug driving legislation allows us to remove dangerous drivers from our roads.

“I would like to warn motorists that the drug driving limits for drugs are extremely low so taking even a small amount could put them over the limit.

“There are serious consequences from a drug drive conviction including a criminal record, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a fine of up to £5,000.

“We certainly hope that the road-side tests will continue to deter people from driving under the influence of drugs.”

Dorset Police explained that the fact only 24 people were charged could be for a number of reasons including laboratory test results coming back under the prescribed limits or that investigations are ongoing and people remain on police bail pending further enquiries and test results.