6 August, 2014

Dear Sir,

I write in reference to the outcry against the accident rate and the generally criticised ‘standard of driving’ in Bermuda. We hear it several times a year. Every time there is a fatal or bad accident. Then the dead are buried, people mourn, the injured recover (not always fully) and the outrage dies away.

Logically, if speed is a major contributing factor, and we all know it is, then slowing the traffic down will both reduce accidents and the severity of them when they occur.

To that end everyone who drives/rides in Bermuda needs to be part of the solution. I make a suggestion: first, every new vehicle that comes on the road be fitted with a speed restrictive device. The technology is already available and is in operation in other countries. Secondly, a way of retro fitting be explored for current vehicles.

This would be difficult for any government of either political persuasion to just implement. It would need a proposal in the House of Assembly, and a willingness by both parties and their Senate Representatives to support this for the good of all. That would be a start. Then the public have to get on board.

I do know the passion Bermudians have for their ‘wheels’ and realise the initial response will be not be met enthusiastically by everyone. However, if everyone is governed by the same rules then nobody can complain.

Sincerely,

Jeff Payne.