Police Warning After Spate Of DUI Incidents
Noting that there has been a “high volume” of incidents of persons driving whilst impaired recently, the Bermuda Police Service has issued a reminder to people of the dangers of consuming alcohol and operating a vehicle.
“Police would like to remind the public of the seriousness of the offense and will act diligently to enforce the law against individuals who choose to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol,” said a spokesperson. “Police would like to encourage the public to act responsibly to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the roads.”
This morning top runner Lamont Marshall was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to two people while his ability to drive was impaired by alcohol or drugs after allegedly being involved in a collision which injured two people.
Last night a 24-year-old car driver was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst impaired after he hit a woman crossing the street and left the scene. On August 6th 23-year-old David Thomas was charged in connection with the death of Dr. Alexander Doty, a college professor from Indiana, who died after he was struck by a motorcycle while walking on Pitts Bay Road on August 1st.
Just thinking if…… Mr.Marshall was given a choice of military service or prison which one he will take?????
thought he was supposed to be in Kenyan training for the Olympics as part of the reason he evaded/avoided military service…hope that the injured people recover swiftly….
Yet you leave this open for commentary.
BPS…are a joke.. a reminder..really?? The reminder is far too late!
The courts seriously need to make examples of these impaired drivers who cause GBH or death, that is if they are convicted!!
If all else fails, the families can take out a civil suit for damages!
Bermudians are far too compassionate for the wrong reasons when if comes to these types of offences.
While the police remind the public of the seriousness of drunk driving, is the judicial system reflecting that seriousness with the consequences meted out? Or is this simply lip-service?
@Drunken ursula
I believe Larry Marshall’s dad is I’ll after all the funds spent on BAD going to court to get him out of the regiment. What will he do now? I’ll tell u this, if convicted he needs to suffer the consequences of his actions by going to jail and do the time for the crime. His alleged victim is overseas fighting for her life! Prayerfully she will recover 100% .
People need to be aware of those around them! if you so happen to think that a person is to inebriated to operate a vehicle than make a smart decision and take there keys! you can save someones life!
Also I pray that the two pple hurt recover from there injuries!
The police are only doing their duty in re-iterating that it is an offence to drive whilst your ability is impaired through alcohol. However, the issue is, I feel one which strikes at the very fabric of society, that of social acceptance. The Police, the judiciary and the legislature are fighting a losing battle if the consensus of opinion is that driving whilst over the legal blood/alcohol limit is a minor matter; to drive home after you’ve had a few drinks is, in short socially acceptable. Your friends will not question it, your co-workers will not take issue with you, your boss will not censure you. If you are unfortunate enough to be caught, transported to the police station and made to give a sample of breath, which then reads in excess of the limit, you will spend the night, go to court in the morning, say sorry to the magistrate and be fined (typically) $1000 and have your licence revoked for a year. You’ll use public transport and friends to get around, it will be inconvenient but its no big deal. You will still have your job, your friends and family will most likely sympathise with you, and after a year all will be forgotten.
A sea-change in public opinion is required before any change will be seen, and that can only come from ordinary people telling their friend “you know what, if you drive in your current condition, you could kill someone, or yourself… it probably won’t happen – you will probably get home in one piece without incident, but what if you don’t”. Public opinion is very powerful, and at the moment, public opinion is such that driving whilst impaired is acceptable.
How about the investment is made into ride programs? I have yet to see one.
Its pretty obvious why the PLP are taking so long with the on the spot alco test. They didn’t want to take drug test so be damned if they are gonna get caught out on the street impaired driving.
@March Hare
Thank you for a thoughtful and sensible comment! You are right on the money!
Instead of warnings, they need to impose harsher penalties!! A fine, year off the road and senseless demerit points is nothing!!
@march hare…great comment!
Hello these are just Dui from accidents there are so many people leaving home and bars that are drunk out of their minds and are not stopped. WOW the police worked real hard to get these people. OOH that is right to much paperwork involved in DUI’s.
Maybe if they got them before they were on there vechicles it might not have happened.