There were fewer road accidents in the first three months of 2010 than in the same period in the last five years.

In total there were 508 collisions during the 90-day period, two were fatal.

The numbers represent a 19 percent decrease in collisions compared to the final three months of 2009.

Police have also stepped up their efforts to crack down on people breaking the rules of the road 13,356 tickets were issued between January and March.

Yesterday, Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said: "There are almost 100 less traffic collisions per quarter for the most recent 12-month period when compared to the long-term five-year average.

"There have been two fatal collisions in the first quarter of 2010 compared to two in the fourth quarter of 2009 and four in the first quarter of 2009."

He added that the 27 serious traffic collisions recorded in 2007 were below the long-term average and less than the 43 seen in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Road Safety Council head Christopher Johnson said he was pleased that traffic enforcement was continuing to receive attention.

And he said his team has strongly supported the increased presence of the Bermuda Police Service on the roads.

"We understand that the BPS has a number of challenges to their resources, especially given our recent epidemic of gun violence," he said yesterday. "Whilst decreased injuries and collisions are primary goals of the increased presence of BPS officers on the roads, there are no doubt secondary benefits to this type of intervention, including decreased crime in Bermuda's neighbourhoods.

"The Bermuda Road Safety Council is pleased with these stats but we would caution the public not to become lax in their vigilance to drive safely and adhere to the rules of the roads of Bermuda."