There have been 140 drink-drive arrests on Bermuda?s roads this year, campaigners for safer roads have send out a strong message ahead of Cup Match holiday calling on Bermudians not to make those statistics any worse. For the majority of Islanders Thursday marks the start of four-day break from work, which is likely to involve partying and celebrating either at the match in Somerset or elsewhere.

The combination of partying and drinking and the need to travel around the Island creates a potentially volatile mix, best summed up by Minister for National Drug Control Wayne Perinchief. ?We know Bermudians love to drink, and we know Bermudians also love to drive. Our message is don?t drink and drive and if you have a car get a designated driver, identify someone who can drive you home,? he said.

?And remember it is Cup Match holiday on Thursday and Friday and then there is the weekend, so it is going to be a four-day period when people are going to be partying and having a good time. We would express the wish that you don?t drink and drive and, if you do drink, then have a designated driver.?

In terms of road deaths and injuries, alcohol and non-alcohol related, there have been five fatalities this year compared to eight at the same time last year. Road injuries are slightly up at 543 compared to 536 at the same time last year. To reinforce the safety message a number of adverts will run in newspapers and on the TV and radio during the coming days, pushing home the message ?You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.?

Dr. Christopher Johnson, chairman of the Road Safety Council, said he wanted there to be ?Zero fatalities or major injuries during this Cup Match holiday season?.

He urged people who intend to drink alcohol to make use of the bus and ferry system and not to try to drive a car or ride a motorbike. Dr. Johnson added: ?The Road Safety Council in conjunction with the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) would like an increase public awareness. We want you to stay alive for Cup Match 2006.

?We will have volunteers on the field in Somerset who will be wearing T-shirts from CADA and the Road Safety Council.?

Those volunteers will be giving out information including pamphlets on the dangers of under-age drinking, and other advice related to safe driving.

In addition Somerset Cricket Club, which hosts this year?s Cup Match, is making available alcohol breathalysers in the form of strips that can be used the public to test whether or not they are safe to drive.

The strips will be available in the clubhouse and around the cricket ground. After breathing on the strip for ten seconds the strip will, within a further ten seconds, change colour to indicate whether the user is fit to drive or not. As he announced this year?s pre-Cup Match road safety message, Dr. Johnson reminded cycle riders to ensure they always wear an appropriate helmet that his strapped on properly, and for car users to wear seat belts.

The Bermuda Police Service will also be carrying out vigilant road checks during the holiday.