Bermuda's drunk driving laws could be toughened up after the Island's road death rate for 2010 put it on the verge of the international high-risk category, according to Transport Minister Terry Lister. Reflecting on the 13 people who lost their lives in accidents over the past 12 months, Mr Lister told The Royal Gazette: “I am very concerned about the number of road deaths last year.“I believe we need to take stiffer measures with regard to drunk driving. Far too many of our road accidents are alcohol related and it is time for us to look seriously at this issue.”The Minister said he would be “looking at the effectiveness of present legislation”.Under the Road Traffic Act it is illegal to be in control of any vehicle with 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; this usually incurs a fine of $1,000, year-long ban from driving and ten demerit points against the licence. Road safety campaigners and both Opposition parties yesterday said they hoped more would be done to crack down on drunk driving.Victim support group ROLO, Remembering Our Loved Ones, member Melissa Looby, who lost six friends to road accidents in six years, said yesterday: “I believe Bermuda's drunk driving problem is bigger than we as Bermudians would like to believe. Reviewing any and all laws that will help.”Anthony Santucci, chairman of campaigners CADA, said: “We know that the vast majority of the deaths on our roads can be attributed to drugs and or alcohol.“The number of deaths on our roads is excessively high. We must continue to get the message out not to drink and drive, and CADA along with our partners will continue to do this.“We support any review of the current legislation because anything and everything that can be done to decrease the number of deaths on our roads would be welcome.”Mr Santucci also suggested making motorists attend a drunk-driving education school before getting their licences reinstated, and more police roadside breath tests.Shadow Transport Minister Charlie Swan said: “Bermuda clearly has a drunk driving problem. It is a deep seated community-wide problem that has been with us for a long time.“Only recently the Road Safety Council highlighted its severity when it reported that the vast majority of fatal road crashes involved alcohol and/or drugs.“The failure to take serious measures to curtail the problem measures that have been proven to work in other jurisdictions is a mystery to us. Bermuda can't afford to simply accept the annual death and injury toll on its roads.“The United Bermuda Party has long called for direct actions that we know can reduce the fatalities, from the installation of cats eyes and speed bumps on the road to a greater and sustained police presence.“We were pleased when the Police Commissioner voiced his support for roadside breathalyser testing because we know these would have a massive impact on people who might otherwise drink and drive.“If the police need the resources to institute sobriety checks, then the Government should step forward and provide the resources to enable them.”Bermuda Democratic Alliance transport spokesman Shawn Crockwell said: “This is an encouraging announcement by the Minister of Transport and one that we have been advocating for some time.“Statistical data has historically shown that a large percentage of our road traffic accidents, especially fatalities, involve alcohol intoxication.“It is no secret that there is a culture in Bermuda where individuals consume alcohol while socialising and then drive home thereafter.“Our perennial high rates of road fatalities are sober evidence of this unacceptable trend.“We agree that those who continue to drive intoxicated should face much stiffer penalties from the courts, particularly when innocent parties are adversely affected.“What comes to mind is vehicular manslaughter which we feel does not currently attract a harsh enough penalty, especially when it is proven that the driver was intoxicated. We look forward to hearing the recommendations from the new Minister.”Mr Crockwell added that police need to carry out consistent and well advertised sobriety tests.“This must be done on a weekly basis with the goal being to use these checks to deter those from drinking and driving and encourage them to use responsible ways to get home,” he said.“The ultimate objective should be the saving of lives and the implementation of this initiative is long overdue.”Bermuda's 13 fatalities this year give the Island a road death rate of 19.85 per 100,000 people, just shy of the Pan American Health Organization's high-risk bracket of 20.Recent figures show most Caribbean islands have a rate of 15 or lower, with only the British Virgin Islands higher than 20.Giving advice to motorists, Mr Lister said: “My message to all road users is that we must be responsible when we get on or into a vehicle.“The use of such vehicle must be regarded as a privilege and treated that way. Responsible use will make the roads safer to all residents.”Ms Looby added: “The one factor that Bermudians can control is themselves. Parents, if you know your kids will be drinking, don't shut them out and make them feel they can't call you if they need a ride. And in general just respect for life: that of others and yourself.”Regional Road Death RatesMost recent available annual road death rates, per 100,000 residents:British Virgin Islands: 21.7Bermuda: 19.8Antigua & Barbuda: 18.5Aruba: 18.3St. Lucia: 17.6Dominican Republic: 17.3Trinidad & Tobago: 15.5Cayman Islands: 14.6Bahamas: 14.5Puerto Rico: 12.8Jamaica: 12.3Turks & Caicos Islands: 10.9Cuba: 8.6Dominica: 8.5Anguilla: 8.3St. Kitts & Nevis: 7.9St. Vincent & the Grenadines: 6.6Haiti: 1.5