A free minibus service aimed at stopping drunks from driving in the early hours of the morning is now to operate at an even later time.

Two vehicles take drinkers home after picking them up opposite the Emporium Building in Front Street late on Friday nights under the scheme launched last week by the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA).

From now, the minibuses will now leave at 1.45 and 3.45 a.m. on Saturdays — half an hour later than last week — in order to ensure as many potential drunk drivers are collected as possible. Under the “Let Us Drive” initiative, one vehicle heads to the west end and the other to the east, dropping passengers at their homes or as near as possible.

Organisers say it had a successful opening night last Friday and, if it continues to go well, it could be extended beyond an initial eight-week trial period.

CADA chairman Anthony Santucci said: “We are pleased with the results of the first week. We anticipate the programme going from strength-to-strength over the next few weeks.

“With this change we believe we will be able to further target those people who are more likely to risk drinking and driving at that time of day.

“We will continue to examine ways to improve the service and how to get the message out. CADA remains committed to reducing the incidence of drinking and driving and we firmly believe this initiative could possibly save a life.”

The project was launched after research showed more than half of fatalities on Bermuda’s roads in 2005 involved alcohol or drugs.

However, the move has been criticised by taxi drivers, who say it is taking away their vital customers.