Two off-duty police officers hit by a truck on South Shore Road yesterday morning are recovering on a general ward at the hospital.

The accident happened in the area of Vickers Bay Road, between Brighton Hill Road and Tee Street in Devonshire, at about 5.39am and left the victims with injuries that were serious, but not life-threatening.

In the wake of the incident, the Bermuda Road Safety Council (BRSC) urged all road users to exercise caution and ensure they make safety their main priority on the roads.

Police yesterday afternoon said the officers, a 52-year-old woman who suffered head injuries and a 32-year-old man who sustained injuries to the lower half of his body, were recovering in a “stable condition” on a general ward.

The driver of the truck, a 22-year-old male, who is said by police to have lost control of his vehicle, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of impaired driving and remained in police custody pending further inquiries.

He has since been released on police bail as inquieries continue.

A police spokesman said: “It appears that a truck was travelling west on South Road and the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a 52-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man.

“Both of them were walking west and the truck was travelling west.”

The section of South Shore Road where the accident took place was closed while officers assessed the scene, but was reopened shortly after 10.30am.

At about 7am, forensic officers and road traffic collision investigators could be seen taking measurements and photographs. The BRSC yesterday issued the following safety tips to pedestrians and other road users to decrease their risk on the roads:

• Make sure you are visible — wear light coloured clothing or reflective gear.

• Try to always walk facing the oncoming traffic.

• Minimise the use of headphones as they take away your ability to be fully alert to any potential threats.

• Walk in areas where there is minimum traffic.

• Try to avoid time periods where there is increased traffic on the roads.

• Walk only in single file.

The BRSC also encouraged drivers and riders to be aware of the following tips:

• Always be on the lookout for pedestrians.

• Follow the speed limit at all times. This will allow you enough time to react to a hazard if one arises.

• When approaching crosswalks, be prepared to stop if needed.

• Always yield to pedestrians on a crosswalk.

• When you are stopped at a crosswalk, allow enough room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so other drivers can see the pedestrian you have stopped for.

• Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They have stopped to allow pedestrians to pass or make sure the way is clear.

Police are continuing their investigation and any witnesses that have not come forward have been asked to contact them on 295-0011.