The number of people arrested for drunk driving this year has gone up by 22 percent.

So far this year, 239 people have been arrested for suspicion of impaired driving compared to 178 in the first half of last year.

CADA Chairman Anthony Santucci spoke on the increase and repeated his call for random checkpoints such as in the UK and Canada.

"At these checkpoints every tenth or 20th car is stopped for the purpose of checking license and registration and at the same time a determination is made by the Police officer if there is reasonable cause to believe the driver is impaired.

"If there is reasonable cause to believe the driver is impaired, a roadside test is performed. CADA supports these roadside checks during key times, such as evenings, weekends and holidays. We look forward to continuing to work with all parties to assist in bringing these safeguards to Bermuda."

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said one of the reason the numbers are up is because the Police are more vigilant. "There are too high incidents of people drinking and driving on our roads. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Bermudians continually think it's OK to drink and drive and until we get the message across it's just not safe for themselves and everyone around them. We have got enough problems in front of us with the abuse of alcohol. I think the underlying message is it's OK to drink but you have to do it in moderation.

"People are just not getting the message. We need to get the message across. If you want to go out and have a good time, get a taxi, get a friend or parent to pick you up."

Opposition Leader and Shadow Transport Minister Kim Swan and his wife were involved in an accident last year with a drunk driver. The Swans were travelling home, on July 11 last year at 2.15 a.m., after a lengthy session in the House of Assembly when Jonathan Guishard's car crashed into their car near Terceira's Gas Station, in Devonshire. While he wasn't charged with impaired driving, Guishard admitted to being "drunk" in court and received a one-year prison sentence.

Last night, Mr. Swan said: "We must look seriously at discouraging intoxicated people from using their own transportation. Many weekend partygoers complain that it is difficult to secure transportation after midnight.

"In Bermuda we need a cultural shift. We need a zero tolerance approach to driving under the influence. Random Police checkpoints is one way of putting the motoring public on notice but we have a lot of work to do to reverse the Bermuda mindset on this problem. I know of persons who are fearful of driving at night on weekends for fear of the 'happy hour drunk driving culture' and the amount of people who take the chance of getting behind the wheel drunk."

Evelyn Rewan, 30, suffered a broken neck when her car, driven by Winston 'Yogi' Burrows was hit by Luke Armstrong killing Mr. Burrows. Mr. Armstrong's truck veered onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with the car causing it to burst into flames.

He was charged and convicted of causing his death by dangerous driving but the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in March. He admitted to drinking that night but was not charged with the offence.

Yesterday, Ms Rewan said: "People think if they are drinking, they're OK to drive home. A lot of people do it. I think it's gone more and more because a lot of people think they can drive home after they have been drinking.

"I can't blame the Police. I can't say the Police aren't doing their job. But I feel if someone is drinking and driving and the Police sees them, maybe they can do something even if the person puts up a fight. People say 'I can handle it' and the next thing you know they hit a tree."