Getting Serious About Safety
In last week's poll I asked you to vote for up to three measures that you felt would do most to improve safety on Bermuda's roads.
Of the ten ideas suggested, five attracted significantly more votes than the rest. The most popular suggestion, with 47 of the 245 votes cast, was one which the Opposition has repeatedly called for: an increased police presence on the roads. More police would help tackle several unsafe driving practices, from speeding to dangerous driving.
The next most popular measure was the introduction of a demerit point system on driving licences (39 votes), followed by harsher sentences for traffic offences (35 votes), increased regulation of cycle rental (29 votes) and the introduction of speed cameras (28 votes). A campaign to highlight the dangers of drink-driving, re-engineering roads for greater safety, a tougher driving test, raising the legal driving age and a review of current speed limits were considered lesser priorities.
| Increase police presence on roads (47) |  19% |
| Demerit point system on licenses (39) | 16% |
| Harsher sentences for traffic offences (35) | 14% |
| Increase regulation of cycle rental (29) | 12% |
| Speed cameras (28) | 11% |
| Re-engineer roads (e.g. widening) (16) | 7% |
| Drink-driving campaign (16) | 7% |
| Tougher driving test (14) | 6% |
| Raise legal driving age (cycles) (12) | 5% |
| Review speed limits (9) | 4% |
It's interesting to note that most of the popular suggestions are concerned with catching and punishing errant behaviour. In contrast, the less popular measures are more about reducing the chances of an accident occurring in the first place. Readers of this site clearly believe that punishment is more important than education. Given the current state of the Island's driving, I'm inclined to agree.
Unfortunately, thus far the Government has done little to suggest it's prepared to get to grips with the problem. Despite a promise that there was to be a special Cabinet meeting last week to discuss the subject, nothing has been heard from the PLP since. I worry that the recent deaths on the roads will become, like the violence at Wellington Oval earlier this year, the cause of much hand-wringing but no action.
I hope I'm wrong. With luck, some concrete plans to make Bermuda's roads safer will form part of the Government's much-hyped Social Agenda, to be revealed in detail on Friday.
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As a result of new regulations and changes in many islands around the world, we (cycle Imports) have developed a SAFER 3 wheeled scooter in several engine displacements from 49cc to 125cc. We would like help to introduce this wondeful concept to Bermuda in an effort to address the many safety concerns with rental outfits/tourists. Please see our scoot car at www.cycleimports.com
Thank You
Ozzie 305-889-1800
Posted by Ozzie on 03.11.04 at 13:24