A FREEDOM of Information request has revealed more than 50 arrests have been made for drug-driving in Wales since new legislation was introduced in March this year.

Gwent Police has also revealed that it has arrested 10 people on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of drug since the new law was introduced.

The new law includes lower limits for eight illegal drugs, higher levels for eight prescription drugs, police are able to use a "drugalyser" to screen for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside, and even if a driver passes a roadside check, officers will still be able to test at a police station for other drugs such as ecstasy, LSD and ketamine.

Penalties if convicted include a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison

Drug-driving offences on your driving licence also last 11 years.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists made a FOI request asking every police force area in England and Wales for the number of arrests made for the new offence (of driving with a specified controlled drug in the body above the specified limit for that drug), since the new legislation was introduced

The IAM’s findings show 902 drug-drive arrests in total were made by forces in England and Wales. On average police arrested almost one person every three days for this crime

North Wales Police topped the figures in Wales, making 34 arrests up until 20 May.

In South Wales, officers arrested eight people while Dyfed-Powys Police made five arrests up until April 30.

According to the figures, Gwent Police had made no arrests during April, but a spokesman from the police force said: “"Since March 2 Gwent Police has arrested 10 people on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of drugs. Those ten people have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

"Drugs significantly impair people’s ability to drive and put lives at risk.

"Gwent Police officers now have kits available to them to detect cannabis and cocaine at the roadside, making us more equipped than ever to identify offences and take action against those who are putting themselves, and the safety of other road users at risk.

"We will continue to do all we can to target those who break the law on our roads and keep people safe.”