Road Safety watchdogs yesterday highlighted ways for the public to stay safe on the roads over the holiday weekend.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Road Safety Council said the Bermuda Day holiday was the “unofficial start to the summer”.

He added that it was also a time, based on statistics, when there was an increase in traffic collisions and fatalities.

The spokesman said: “Sadly, this is a trend that we have become too comfortable with and it is the goal of the BRSC to educate the public as well as find long term solutions that will decrease these numbers.”

He thanked The Royal Gazette’s Drive for Change campaign, road safety group A Piece of the Rock, anti-alcohol abuse charity CADA and the police for their efforts to make Bermuda’s roads safer.

The spokesman said: “Together, all of us can make this Bermuda Day holiday a safe and memorable one.”

The BRSC said people could help road safety by:

• Driving/riding at the speed limit at all times,

• Removing all outside distractions while driving or riding, including mobile phones,

• Fastening helmets correctly,

• Ensuring that children are secured in the back seat of vehicles in approved child seats.

• Avoiding driving while over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs,

• Talking to friends and family about the risks of unsafe use of the roads.