NORTH Yorkshire has the highest proportion of convictions for drug driving of any region in the country, according to a new report.

The study, compiled by MRS Digital, shows that the county had 20.91 drug driving convictions per 100,000 of the population in 2015.

Durham and Cleveland, whose police forces have a combined road policing team, are also in the top ten, with 15.12 and 14.44 respectively.

Unsurprisingly London had the highest volume of convicted drivers followed by Greater Manchester but, when adjusted per 100,000, these two locations feature in the lower reaches of the figures.

This may be due to better alternative transport for would be drug drivers.

MRS Digital used Ministry of Justice data to compile the list and say that drug driving can be attributed to a range of factors including a the frequency of drug use among residents of a given region and the efficiency of the police and justice system in securing convictions.

The report found that whilst there is a weak correlation between an area’s average household income and instances of drug driving conviction, there is a substantially stronger correlation between 19 to 37-year-old male unemployment and instances of drug driving.

Convictions have also risen since new legislation was brought in by the government in March 2015 covering legal driving limits for 17 illegal and prescription drugs.

Under the old laws, police had to show driving was impaired by drugs to prosecute but the new legislation in England and Wales made it a specific offence to drive after having certain drugs above prescribed levels.

A Durham Police spokesman said the new laws and drug testing equipment had led to more arrests.

He said: “The new legislation and the use of drug wipe kit has been a terrific additional resource for our roads policing officers.

“We are now catching far more drivers under the influence of drugs and they have been dealt with through the criminal justice system far quicker than was possible in the past.”

Motorists caught drug driving face a minimum 12-month driving ban, up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a criminal record.

North Yorkshire Police were unable to provide a comment on the report at the time of going to press.