CADA and DUI School 'pleased' with Throne Speech plans

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7: In a joint statement issued today by CADA: encouraging responsible alcohol behaviour, and the DUI Education School the organizations applauded the measures to eliminate drinking and driving as outlined in the Throne Speech.

CADA Executive Director, Mrs. Gillian Freelove-Jones, speaking on behalf of the Board stated, “We are pleased to see the Bermuda Government’s commitment to reducing the number of road traffic fatalities and collisions associated with drugs and or alcohol use. The measures, once implemented, will go a long way to encouraging people not to drink and drive.

Mrs. Freelove-Jones continued, “CADA wholeheartedly supports:

• setting up well publicized roadside checkpoints;
• stopping every nth vehicle;
• having every motorist stopped to participate in a roadside alcohol breathalyzer test; and
• if the roadside breath test shows at or above a certain level of alcohol, conduct the fully calibrated alcohol breathalyzer machine test.

Research shows that when checkpoints have been set up in other jurisdictions, and the public have been given ample notice that the checks will take place, there has been a significant reduction in the number of alcohol-related road collisions and fatalities.”

Mrs. Freelove-Jones concluded, “CADA will continue to work with all parties to assist in quickly putting these initiatives in place.”

DUI Education School, Founder and Director, Ms. Cecile Harris stated, "We are delighted that the DUI Education School will be made mandatory for everyone convicted of a DUI. The purpose of the DUI School is to increase participants’ awareness of the effects of substance abuse on themselves and on society, this includes the effects on their families, friends and the broader social network to which they belong. Our mission is to decrease the numerous accidents, injuries and deaths resulting from drinking and driving on the roads of Bermuda.”

Mrs. Harris added “The DUI course consists of 12 hours of education, which includes: assessment, education, prevention and counseling. For more information on the DUI Education School, call 296 6785."