No arrests made on NYE for DUI

(CNS) More than 1,000 people rode the free Purple Ribbon Bus on New Year’s Eve and the National Drug Council said based on police statistics not one person was arrested for drinking and driving on the last night of the year. While the RCIPS has confirmed some road blocks took place on the night, notorious for drunk drivers, they are not prepared to say where or how many for operational reasons. While it is unlikely that all drivers were sober that night, the free NYE bus service and the NDC’s Designated Driver Campaign certainly contributed to keeping the roads safer and plans are afoot to extend the programme throughout this year.

The NDC said 26 local bars and restaurants took part and it now hopes the Designated Driver programme will run throughout the year on both Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. A release said the focus would be on destination and community-based events, such as Easter weekend, festivals and boating activities. The NDC will also continue server training to ensure safe and sober designated driving.

“Social responsibility is a huge priority for us. Expanding the Designated Driver programme will heighten awareness and promote responsible drinking which is one of our core values,” added NDC Director Joan West-Dacres.

CNS contacted the police about road block and traffic operations on NYE specifically and we are still awaiting a response. However, according to the figures they released in the wake of the annual seasonal road safety campaign, there were 226 road accidents across the month-long Operation Magpie. During this period there were 32 arrests for drinking and driving, but only five of them were during the last week, which spanned New Year’s Eve.

The Purple Ribbon Bus sponsors were Reid’s Premier Tours, DART Cayman Islands, Jacques Scott Group, Cayman National, High Impact Media, Greenlight RE, ECAY, and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.