Four months into this year and four people have died on our roads.

The most recent — the tragic death of a young lady on Middle Road — was a shocking new low for Bermuda with several vehicles involved that left the scene, literally leaving her for dead.

Statistics show that we can expect eight more deaths this year, as we have averaged a death a month for decades — one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world.

The deaths on our roads constitute a national health crisis and we must work to reduce the carnage.

There are many reasons accidents and deaths occur on our roads. But statistics show that 70 per cent of deaths are related to alcohol and other drugs.

As the minister responsible for transport, I am determined to push forward on measures to improve our road safety, including delivering on our promise to introduce roadside sobriety testing.

Following consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chamber and consideration of constitutional issues, roadside sobriety testing will be introduced as an alternative substantive testing method to the existing testing that is administered at the Hamilton Police Station.

A hand-held testing device, the Drager Alcotest 7510 unit, has been identified and the Transport Control Department is making the necessary arrangement for the manufacturer to provide local demonstrations on the use of the unit and verification on its suitability for the intended purposes.

We must ensure measurements from the unit are admissible as evidence in court.

The manufacturer’s presentation will be part of the continuing consultation with the Bermuda Police Service, Health, Magistrates’ Courts, the Bar Council and the DPP’s Chambers on the intended use of the unit as a substantive testing device.

The introduction of the hand-held testing unit will not require legislative amendments and once we have completed the verification of the unit, and it is deemed acceptable by the Bermuda Police Service, we will lay an order approving the said instrument. If there are no identified issues, we intend to lay the order in the upcoming summer session of the House of Assembly.

The One Bermuda Alliance Government is determined to put a stop to the carnage that spreads misery and heartache throughout the community.

Culture is clearly one of the problems we face in Bermuda. As the popular local song says: “Bermudians love to drink.” Some Bermudians also believe they can drink and drive with impunity.

Our culture can and must change.

This Government understands that new laws to curb drunk driving must be implemented with a corresponding public advocacy and education component and we will continue supporting the efforts of the Road Safety Council, CADA and other groups in their continuing and commendable efforts in improving our driving habits.

We can’t wait another minute to get this done.

I appeal to all residents to support the Government in implementing this life-saving change and the Bermuda Police Service as they carry out their mandate to prevent so many avoidable deaths on our roads.