THE number of drivers being caught drunk behind the wheel in Wiltshire is bucking a national trend which suggests that more people are being charged in rural areas.

In new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request, police forces across the UK were asked to provide their number of drink drive charges over a 12-month period to May 2017.

Data provided by Wiltshire Police showed that 471 people of Wiltshire’s 703,300 population were charged in the last year. This equates to 6.7 per cent per 10,000 people. Avon and Somerset Police charged 1,083 people, working out as 6.51 per cent per 10,000 of their 1,664,200 total population.

Lincolnshire prosecuted the most people at 1,035, working out as 14.05 per cent of 10,000 population, followed by North Wales, Warwickshire, Dyfed-Powys and North Yorkshire.

Thames Valley Police did not respond to the FOI request by the Press Association.

The figures come with the annual crackdown on drink-driving over the festive period under way.

Wiltshire’s officers regularly support nationwide crackdowns on drink-driving and hope the data reinforces their zero-tolerance attitude to people getting behind the wheel after having a drink.

Sergeant Simon Drewett, head of the Road Safety Unit, said: “Motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs are not only putting themselves at risk, but also the lives of other road users across the county.

“Drink-driving has for a number of years been seen as taboo by society. However during the festive season more people take the risk after a few drinks with friends or whilst out at Christmas parties.

“Recent statistics have also highlighted a worrying amount of people drug-driving on our roads now too.

“If you are out over the Christmas period then please plan your journey accordingly”.

Nationally, the results have prompted calls for better public transport in rural areas and warnings to anyone tempted to drink and drive over the festive period.

AA president Edmund King also said the figures could relate to poorer public transport.

He said: “It could also be down to more targeted police enforcement, but whatever the reason there is no excuse for drink-driving.”

Separate figures published last week by the Institute of Alcohol Studies suggested the number of breath tests carried out on England’s roads has fallen by 27 per cent in five years as forces cut traffic officer numbers.

Jason Wakeford, director of campaigns for road safety charity Brake, said: “Drink-driving remains one of the biggest killers on our roads, causing devastation to families up and down the country.

“It is essential that police forces are provided with the resources they require to crack down on drink-drivers throughout the year.”