A sleepy English town of around 5,300 people, known for its spas and exotic landscapes, has emerged as the UK's new drink and drug driving capital after recording more than double convictions than Liverpool or London, according to a new research.
With the highest proportion of offences for drink and drug-driving, 1.98 offences per 1,000 drivers, the tiny town of Llandrindod Wells, known as small spa haven, knocked off Aberdeen from the top spot.
The survey, conducted by MoneySuperMarket, found that half of the top 20 areas for the least amount of convictions are on the periphery of London, perhaps an indication of the city's world class public transport system.
Blackpool and Crewe were close behind the Welsh town, with a rate of 1.85 and 1.81 offences per 1,000 people. In contrast, East London was found to have the lowest drink and drug conviction rate in the UK.
Bradford, Liverpool and Huddersfield were also found to be in the top 20 of the UK's low conviction areas.
Men were found to be more than twice as likely to drive after drinking or taking drugs as women, while drivers aged between 20 and 24 most likely to offend, with 2.5 convictions per 1,000 motorists.
Drink-drivers face a possible six-month jail sentence, a 5,000 British pounds fine and a 12-month driving ban.
"In a rural location such as Llandrindod Wells it could be the lack of public transport and the misguided belief they won't get caught that's leading people to drink and drive," Kevin Pratt, a car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, was quoted as saying by The Independent.
"Whatever the circumstances, the fact remains that driving while over the limit is always illegal - there is simply no excuse," Pratt added.
