A series of crashes has sparked a police warning about drink-driving and other risk factors on the roads.

Chief Inspector, Robert Cardwell, head of the Tactical Support Unit, said that “time and time again” investigations had found that bad decisions, including driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs and inattention, were major causes of accidents.

He added: “Impaired driving is heavily frowned upon in the community. It is inevitable, as we have seen, that impaired driving will lead to a collision of some kind.

“Knowingly driving while impaired, with the heightened risk of taking a life or causing a permanent life changing injury to someone, is incomprehensible.”

Mr Cardwell said: “The public are reminded that consuming alcohol, any amount, while also under the influence of prescribed or over-the-counter medication such as cold and flu medicine, can elevate levels of impairment.”

He told the public: “If you are out and are consuming alcohol, have an exit plan.”

Mr Cardwell emphasised that alcohol and drugs were not the only factors that increased the likelihood of crashes.

He said that fatigue, distractions such as cell-phone use and medical conditions could also cause risks on the roads.

Mr Cardwell added: “We encourage everyone to slow down, exercise courtesy and caution when riding or driving, reduce aggression on the roads and exercise responsible, safe driving.”

He said that a crackdown on bad driving, Operation Vega, continued “as part of our continued effort to make Bermuda safer”.