The new Minister of National Security said he was “not convinced” by proposed legislation intended to crack down on traffic offences.

Ryan Robinson Perinchief emphasised that he supported “the spirit of any measure that can genuinely make Bermuda’s roads safer”.

However, he added the Opposition’s Road Traffic and Motor Car (Road Safety and Penalties) Amendment Act 2026 would only lead to problems around constitutional and civil liberties.

Mr Robinson Perinchief said: “Road safety requires a comprehensive approach. Enforcement is an important part of that, but lasting improvement will also depend on changing behaviour, strengthening the culture of responsibility on our roads and pursuing measures that prevent dangerous driving before tragedy occurs.”

Mr Robinson Perinchief was speaking after Bermuda’s tenth road fatality was identified as 45-year-old Michael DeSilva.

Mr DeSilva, a father of three, succumbed to his injuries after a motorcycle crash in the White Hill area of Sandys on Sunday evening.

Jarion Richardson, the Shadow Minister of National Security, said the incident emphasised the need for his Bill, which looked to double the punishments for traffic offences and suspend advanced notice for roadside sobriety checks.

However, Mr Robinson Perinchief said its focus on increased penalties would only impact motorists after the offence had been committed.

He further emphasised the constitutional problems the Bill would pose, particularly around privacy and freedom.

The minister explained that removing checkpoint notices would raise questions about arbitrary searches and detentions, which would be especially harmful given “community sensitivities surrounding such stops and historical disparities”.

He added that the removal would represent a shift from a “transparent and co-operative approach” focused on prevention to “a surprise enforcement strategy” — one, he said, that might not even work.

Mr Robinson Perinchief said: “The evidence from criminology and traffic safety research indicates that simply increasing the severity of fines or sentences does little on its own to change driver behaviour.”

He added: “What makes a meaningful difference is visible and frequent enforcement, including active patrols, speed cameras and sobriety checkpoints, alongside changes in attitudes and culture around road safety and improvements to road design that place greater emphasis on prevention and overall safety.

“This is what I will continue to work on alongside the Bermuda Police Service and the ministry responsible for transportation on these efforts.”

Regardless, Mr Robinson Perinchief offered his condolences to Mr DeSilva’s family and stressed the importance of road safety reform.

He said: “Every road death is one too many and I do not believe Bermuda should become comfortable with a fatality occurring roughly once a month as some acceptable baseline.

“The loss of ten lives on our roads already this year is deeply concerning.

“Road safety remains a serious and ongoing concern for the Government and we will continue working to identify measures to change driving habits and, in so doing, make our roads safer and reduce the loss of life.”