DRIVERS in Bolton are less likely to drive under the influence of drink and drugs than other areas, according to new figures.

Residents in Bolton came 103rd on a list of 117 postcode areas analysed for motorists with drink or drug driving-related convictions on their licence.

Hotspots for the crime tend to be in more rural areas rather than those living in urban hubs.

Bolton was found to have 0.86 driving convictions annually per 1,000 insurance quotes whereas motorists in north Scotland and mid Wales are the most likely to have a conviction and at a rate of more than 1.4 convictions per 1,000 quotes.

The figures were released by insurance comparison website MoneySuperMarket.

Bolton has a worse rate than Oldham but comes before Blackburn, which has a rate of 0.89 convictions per 1,000 quotes.

Aberdeen, Inverness Dundee and Kirkcaldy all feature in the top 10 list. Cities such as Manchester, London and Liverpool feature in the bottom 10.

Hugh German, from Bolton and District Advanced Motorists, said: “I am glad to hear the numbers aren’t high. I hope it is because people are taking more responsibility rather than people getting away with it because of drastic cuts to the police force.

“Drinking or taking drugs before driving is a serious crime. People need to have a responsible attitude and remember the outcome crashes can have. They have a drastic impact.”

Kevin Pratt, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “The festive season is approaching fast, and many look forward to an extra tipple to get into the party spirit.

“But few people understand how long it takes for the effects of alcohol to wear off and how long it can take for their blood alcohol level to read below the legal drink drive limit.”

People aged between 20 and 24 had the highest conviction rate at 2.3 convictions per 1,000 quotes a year and men were twice as likely to have a conviction than women.