After losing six friends to road accidents in as many years, 21-year-old Melissa Looby is starting to believe nothing will ever change the mindset of Bermuda's road users.

Last summer, Miss Looby — the youngest member of road victim support group ROLO — spoke to The Royal Gazette about the five loved ones she had lost since 2003.

The crash that claimed the life of Andrew Jackson shortly before last Christmas saw that grim toll climb to six.

Miss Looby spoke again to this newspaper yesterday, after 25-year-old Chris Alves became Bermuda's ninth road death victim of 2009.

"Most important was Andrew dying," she said. "It hit my group of friends really hard. To see another family lose a loved one, one that was so full of life. To see so much of him in his daughter. It's not easy to talk about someone like him in the past tense.

"I honestly am beginning to feel there are no answers to this question, that no laws, no curfews can do anything to change the mindset of Bermuda as a people. It's a mindset. It's not about changing the law. How do you change the mindset? I'm at a loss.

"It's become so bad that you literally have to tell your loved ones every time you see them get on a bike. The second you hear an ambulance, you wonder 'Who is it this time?' and make sure your loved ones are tucked at home safe.

"But the reality is: there is one who isn't; one who didn't wake up this morning. And it's depressing. There is literally nothing we can say or do but comfort the family and let them know that ROLO is available to them."

Bermuda Police Service spokesman Dwayne Caines also issued an impassioned appeal for people to change their attitudes.

Mr. Caines pointed to the Road Safety Council's 'shock tactic' campaign earlier this year, which attracted complaints because of the grisly nature of the images on its posters.

"The Road Safety Council had a very graphic campaign which some members of the community said was too graphic," said Mr. Caines.

"However, there are individuals in reality now who not only live with those real scenarios, there are members of that community who are sadly dealing with deaths as a result of road accidents."

Last year, 17 people died on Bermuda's roads — the worst tally in a decade. This year has seen nine already, including 22-year-old father Delmont Browne last Saturday, former Assistant Police Commissioner, 78-year-old James McMaster, on Monday, and Mr. Alves on Thursday.

Mr. Caines said: "This is a very sobering reality for Bermuda.

"The Police have been committed to enforcement and so is the Road Safety Council and Bermuda Fire Service and everyone else. We are trying feverishly to come up with strategies to lessen the carnage on the roads.

"However, we are appealing for individuals to take responsibility on our roads as that is the key to a successful road safety campaign.

"Legislation has its place; enforcement has its place. But at the end of the day, it's down to an individual making smart choices.

"Are people listening? The challenge is for them to adhere to what they are hearing."