INVERCLYDE and Renfrewshire is the only area in Scotland to record an increase in drink driving since a lower limit was introduced last December.

Statistics for the nine months following the change saw the number of offences rise by 4.7 per cent - while drink driving crimes dropped in every other part of Scotland.

The new law reduced the limit from 80 milligrams of alcohol in every 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams.

Figures obtained by AlcoSense Personal Breathalysers show that between December 2014 and August 2015, all but one area in Scotland (based on pre-Police Scotland divisions) reported a reduction in drink driving offences.

Dumfries & Galloway led the way, recording a 56 per cent reduction.

Figures were compiled in conjunction with police forces in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland to obtain data on the relative increases and decreases in drink driving in the first nine months after Scotland reduced its drink drive limit.

Scotland had a 12.5 per cent reduction in offences, compared with a 6.6 per cent fall across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

England saw drink driving offences fall by 7.3 per cent and Northern Ireland by 9.4 per cent in the nine month period immediately following December 2014.

Wales was the only nation to register an increase, with six per cent more people charged than the previous year. Inspector Gillian Gardner of the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Road Policing Department said Police Scotland has been working pro-actively with its partners across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde to educate people about the dangers of drink driving - and target offenders.

She said: “From December 5 last year to November 8 this year, the overwhelming majority - 93 per cent - of people in the division caught drink driving recorded readings higher than the old limit, with the average reading being significantly higher.

"Our message is very clear – if you are going to have a drink don’t risk driving. If you feel the need to breathalyse yourself before getting behind the wheel, ask yourself should you really be driving?”