Dear Sir,

People talk about a decrease in our population. Some of this is no doubt because of lives lost owing to careless, reckless, brainless driving habits.

I realise it's a tired old phrase: “Slow down.” We appreciate what the Road Safety Council is trying to do and all the other organisations trying to mitigate this severe problem. Is it making a difference? Judge for yourself on any road, at any time of day or night and I think you'll agree it isn't.

To those who choose to ignore regulations, stop lights, (no, red and green are not only for Christmas), speed-limit signs and general common sense, I'll offer you this: you have some choices. Lose your licence and some money, get a ride in one of our ambulances, spend some time in the hospital emergency department — if you're fortunate enough, in a room. Alternatively, the emergency department has several hallways, so you might get to spend some time there. Next step — up to a room on one of the wards — perhaps to recover from your not so life-threatening injuries.

Alternatively, you could be there waiting to be fitted for a prosthetic leg or arm for the one you lost in the accident. You might have to be flown overseas for a procedure not available in Bermuda. If you do get discharged and go home, it might be to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair. The final part of your “trip” might be to the morgue.

If you want to spend the rest of your life safely and enjoying every day you have with family and friends on our beautiful island, then drive carefully and responsibly. However, if you do ignore the advice, please don't take anyone else with you. The choice is yours.

LIBBY MADEIROS

Devonshire