General
Driving under the influence of alcohol (and/or drugs) is widely recognised internationally as a serious criminal offence and anti-social behaviour. It endangers not only the driver but passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. Across many jurisdictions, drink-driving is linked to higher rates of collisions, serious injuries, fatalities, and significant emotional and economic costs to families and communities. Penalties often include fines, licence disqualification, and imprisonment — reflecting the grave risk impaired drivers pose.
In Bermuda, the impact of alcohol on road safety has long been a concern for police, legislators, and community groups. Authorities characterise impaired driving as a key contributor to serious collisions and preventable harm on the island’s roads, noting it is an entirely avoidable risk that frequently results in life-altering injuries or death if left unchecked.
05/2024 – Rise in impaired driving offences sparks concerns
Bermuda Law — Drink-Driving Offence
Under Bermuda’s Road Traffic Act 1947 (and subsequent amendments):
- Section 35AA makes it an offence to drive, attempt to drive, or have care/control of a vehicle if the driver’s ability is impaired by alcohol or a drug.
- Section 35A sets the prescribed blood alcohol limit at 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Exceeding this limit is itself an offence.
- Section 35B covers driving with dangerous drugs present in the body.
These provisions mean that both impairment and exceeding a defined alcohol limit are punishable, whether or not the vehicle is in motion.
Current penalties under Bermuda law (as reported recently) include:
- First offence: Up to $1,500 fine and 18-month disqualification from driving.
- Second offence (within two years): Up to $2,500 fine and three-year disqualification.
- Third/subsequent offence: Up to $5,000 fine and five-year disqualification.
- Government is also considering strengthening penalties and updating legislation to better reflect the severity of the issue.
Statistics & Trends in Bermuda
Arrests & Enforcement Trends
Bermuda has seen a steadily growing number of impaired-driving arrests in recent years:
- 2021: ~170 impaired-driving arrests
- 2022: ~229 arrests
- 2023: ~263 arrests (a three-year high)
Earlier enforcement drives such as Operation Vega — launched in mid-2021 — have seen increased police activity, including roadside checkpoints and ticketing for traffic offences. In the first five months of 2023 alone, 117 motorists were arrested for impaired driving, up sharply from 71 during the same period in 2022.
Severity & Impact
A government report on road safety noted that in 2024:
- 194 road traffic accidents involved drivers exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit.
- Failed tests ranged up to 389 mg/dL, nearly five times the legal limit of 80 mg/dL. Read more here.
These figures underline the scale of the problem: a significant minority of collisions involve drivers with dangerous levels of alcohol in their system, often leading to serious outcomes.
Cultural Context — Why It’s a “Bermuda Problem”
Local police leaders and road safety advocates have pointed to broader cultural issues around alcohol consumption contributing to impaired driving:
- Assistant Commissioner Martin Weekes has said Bermuda has a “serious alcohol drinking culture,” where alcohol use often precedes social gatherings and festivities, which increases the risk of people choosing to drive when impaired.
- Senior magistrates and community voices have urged a cultural shift in attitudes toward drink-driving, calling for conversations about responsibility to happen across homes, schools, workplaces, and community organisations.
Police and road safety councils stress that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem — education, alternatives to driving (like taxis and designated drivers), and changing expectations around alcohol use are all essential.
Government & Community Efforts to Curb Drink-Driving
- Enforcement
Sobriety checkpoints are regularly conducted, especially around holidays and weekends, with police urging responsibility and planning ahead before consuming alcohol.
Operation Vega continues to target dangerous driving behaviours, including impaired driving, through increased visibility and ticketing.
- Public Messaging & Community Campaigns
The Bermuda Road Safety Council (BRSC) runs periodic campaigns such as “Don’t Drink & Drive / Arrive Alive” to educate the public about the risks and encourage safe alternatives and planning.
Public officials and anti-drink-driving groups (e.g., Cada) emphasise “zero tolerance” and responsible decisions, reinforcing that there is no justification for impaired driving – 2024 ‘arrests – three year high‘
- Policy Development
Recent reports indicate proposals to update and strengthen legislation and penalties, along with discussions on improving public transport options to give drinkers safer ways to get home.
Key Bermuda Legal & Public Safety Links
- Legislation:
Road Traffic Act 1947 (Drink-Driving Offences — Sections 35AA, 35A, 35B)
- Government & Safety Resources:
Government road safety guidance – “Don’t Drink & Drive / Arrive Alive”