Court: Eight People Charged For DUI
The Bermuda Police Service is urging the public to “foster a culture where drunk driving is socially unacceptable” after eight people appeared in court in a single day charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes said, “The Bermuda Police Service would like to report that, at Hamilton Magistrates Court this Thursday, eight persons appeared charged with offences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Of that figure, five persons pleaded guilty and were immediately banned from driving all vehicles for a period of 18 months, as well as issued fines of $1500 each.
ACOP Martin Weekes said that “whilst, that it could be considered good news that these persons were caught and put before the courts before they could cause harm to other road users, it still demonstrates that Bermudians are willing risk their licences and, in some cases, their livelihoods, to get behind the wheel having consumed too many alcoholic beverages. The impact of these offences can have serious consequences to themselves as well as to other members of the public with whom they come into contact.
“Despite extensive public awareness campaigns, impaired driving remains a significant issue on Bermuda’s roads. The arrest statistics alone are sobering:
- 2026 [year-to-date]: 128 arrests for impaired driving
- 2025 [total]: 223 arrests
- 2024 [total]: 203 arrests
“This, despite the ongoing use of roadside sobriety checkpoints, designed to deter impaired driving and keep our roads safe, show that many are still ignoring the warnings.
“The decision to drink and drive is a choice. With that in mind, we are appealing, yet again, for members of the public to take absolute personal responsibility for their actions. If you plan to consume alcohol, or use any other mind altering substance, you must avoid operating any vehicle, including e-bicycles, pedal cycles, and, of course, boats, for that matter.
“It is evident that personal accountability alone is not enough. As such, we must foster a culture where drunk driving is socially unacceptable. We strongly encourage our community to hold each other to account.
“If a friend, family member, or colleague is impaired and attempting to drive, step in. Do not let them get behind the wheel of any vehicle. If you cannot prevent them, please call 295-0011 or 211 and report the impaired person attempting to operate a vehicle.
“The Bermuda Police will continue its work to make our roads safer, not only using sobriety checkpoints, but also with ongoing stop and check and high visibility initiatives. However, we cannot be everywhere at once. We need your help to alert us to impaired persons seeking to drive or ride a vehicle.
This is not snitching, this is saving lives and preventing serious injuries to our friends, our families, our neighbours, our visitors, and the motoring public in general. Let’s all help make Bermuda safer.”
Stop telling people in advance where stops are going to be.
The law requires published notice of the stops.
So there should be approximately 500 people off the road at this time. (18 months for DUI) That doesn’t take into account the speeders that should be off as well. Why has the traffic congestion not changed..we should see a bit of difference.
How many people who get taken off the road just keep driving and riding anyway? Loads of them !