Bermuda Road Safety Council is calling for speed cameras and roadside alcohol tests to tackle an epidemic of road deaths which appears to have "no end in sight". Chairman Christopher Johnson spoke out after the Island's fatality rate rocketed into the highest category on Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) scale.

With nine deaths in 2009 so far, Bermuda has the second worst rate across North America, South America and the Caribbean, behind only Belize, according to the most recent statistics. "Bermuda Road Safety Council strongly endorses the implementation of speed cameras. We believe that fatalities and injuries will be greatly reduced with this innovation deterrent," Dr. Johnson told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"The use of speed cameras will greatly assist Police in decreasing speed on our roads, another major causative factor in collisions and death.

"Bermuda Road Safety Council has proposed changes to our present laws that would allow for random roadside sobriety checks and roadside breathalyser testing.

"This would bring Bermuda's 'Driving Whilst under the Influence' legislation into alignment with laws of similar jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

"Shifting Bermuda culture away from the accepted practice of drinking and driving is paramount in our long-term strategy."

Bermuda's annual fatality rate of 27.7 per 100,000 people dwarfs every Caribbean island and puts this country into the 'high risk' section of a list compiled by PAHO.

Dr. Johnson suggested a number of reasons for Bermuda's high rate:

• Bermuda is the ninth most dense country on the planet, with more than 3,000 people per square mile;

• Bermuda is the only one in the top ten that limits the number of cars to one per household — meaning more people use bikes;

• very narrow roads with numerous obstructions to view;

• many expats are used to driving on the right side of the road;

• a long history of condoned drinking and driving, and lenient drunk/driving legislation;

• high per capita income, so people can buy powerful bikes.

Dr. Johnson said: "As far as the recent spate of road fatalities goes, Bermuda Road Safety Council, first and foremost wishes to express our condolences to families of the victims. We wish them peace as they grieve for their loved ones.

"Injuries and deaths on the roads of Bermuda are a preventable phenomena. However, unfortunately, the end of this epidemic of deaths on the roads of Bermuda does not appear to be in sight. The solution to decreasing our fatalities and collisions on the roads of Bermuda requires long-term strategies."

He said new advertising campaigns were being developed, after focus groups analysed the merits of the graphic photographs which went up in bar bathrooms to a mixed reaction earlier this year.

He added: "Overall, the most important point is that it will take time to change the way in which we behave on the roads of Bermuda. Much of this change will require legislative initiatives and time.

"We urge the public to become more vigilant with respect to issues whilst riding or driving: excessive speed, wearing and fastening helmets, seat belts, overtaking, alcohol and other substance use.

"Bermuda Road Safety Council believes that there is room for hope to improve road safety, but it will require major cooperation and determination in our community."