Bps Pmr

The most recent Operation Vega Statistics indicate that between January and May 2023, there were 117 arrests for impaired driving. For the same period in 2022, there were 71 such arrests.

To say that these numbers are concerning, would be an understatement. Remember, every time you operate a vehicle while impaired, there is the potential to cause significant damage, life altering injury or, death.

Whilst the BPS has stepped up patrols as part of Operation Vega, police presence alone cannot prevent drinking and driving. Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints are advertised days in advance of them being implemented, yet individuals are still arrested for impaired driving during these exercises.

This is a “Bermuda” problem that requires more than enforcement to fix. We as a country must look at the drinking culture that alcohol consumption is a prerequisite for having a good time at social gatherings, be they dinner parties, a session or fete.

That, coupled with the realisation that we must accept individual responsibility for our actions. It might be cliché, but if you plan to drink to have a good time, then you must plan to get home without operating a vehicle on the road.

The BPS do not wish to prevent you having a good time, all we ask is that you consider your actions and those of family and friends around you, to ensure you all get safely home at the end of the day.

While the life you save may be your own, are you prepared to live with the fact that you took the life of another person because you decided to drive drunk, buzzed or high?

CARE, CAUTION AND COURTESY, PLEASE.

The BPS can report that last week saw Traffic offenders contribute just over eighteen thousand dollars to the government coffers after appearing in Magistrates Court.

Offenders who appeared before the Courts incurred fines for a slew of traffic offences including driving whilst impaired, driving unlicensed and uninsured vehicles, and no driver’s license.

Speeding Fines were also heavily represented, with excessive speeds recorded, ranging from 61Kmph, to 82Kmph.

Reflecting on these figures, Inspector Charlene Thompson, the officer in charge of the Roads Policing Unit, (RPU), said: “Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are not happy handing out tickets or bringing people to court. We would much prefer to be handing out rewards for safe driving, as we have with our bottled water campaign, which was started last weekend”.

She further stated “The RPU, supported by patrol officers in other areas of the Service, will maintain a visible and robust presence across the island and will not hesitate to take the necessary action against those road users who ignore the rules of the road which have been put in place to ensure the safety of all road users”

Inspector Thompson added: “There is absolutely no need for anyone to be driving at 82 kilometres per hour. The threat to life and limb posed by a vehicle being driven at that speed on our narrow winding roads is immense. It is this type of behaviour that we must eliminate.”

Supporting Inspector Thompson, Mr. Martin Weekes, Assistant Commissioner of Police stated: “The BPS, whilst being proactive in the issuing of traffic Summonses to motorists where offences occur, are very clear that poor driving habits cannot be fixed by the police and courts alone.

A joined up approach to Road Safety is the only way we can reduce the number of collisions and save lives on the roads in Bermuda.“

He added: “We will continue to work with our partners in the Road Safety Council and CADA to help educate the public and to look at ways to “design out” problem areas and find ways to prevent collisions.

We are encouraged by the response of the public to Roadside Sobriety Testing and our partners’ efforts to increase vigilance around driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs. We will however continue to show a robust presence on the roads to combat impaired driving, speeding and the flouting of our traffic laws.”