Attendees at an event commemorating the lives of those who died over the past year were urged to make road safety a priority in their everyday lives.

Wayne Swan, the deputy chairman of the Bermuda Road Safety Council, told the congregation at St Mary’s Church, Warwick, last night that road safety is a “shared responsibility” as he urged them to consider what they can each do prevent families from “experiencing heartbreak”.

It came as residents gathered at the church to mark All Souls Day, an Anglican tradition marking the memory of the departed.

In a call to action, Dr Swan told attendees that “responsible behaviour is a sign of maturity” and he noted that they can each save a life by looking out for one another.

Dr Swan said: “Not every collision can be prevented but many accidents and serious injures can be avoided when we make better decisions. When we remain alert and when we look out for one another.”

He said the BRSC is committed to working with schools, churches, families, communities, organisations and businesses and others to make the islands’ roads safer.

He said the council’s mission is to promote road safety, encourage responsible behaviour and work with the community to reduce road collisions, injuries and death.

Dr Swan said the council’s mandate “is about changing attitudes, influencing decisions and building a culture where every road user understands that safety is a shared responsibility”.

He said behind every road fatality there is a “human story, a mother, a father, a son, brothers, sisters”.

He called on parents and guardians to let their children understand that “freedom on our roads comes with responsibility”.

Dr Swan said: “Parents, guardians, we implore you to get that message across and also to remind experienced drivers to lead by example.

“A single decision can change a life for ever … a moment of carelessness can leave families grieving for a lifetime.

“Every journey deserves our full attention, we must never assume a short trip is a safe trip simply because we have travelled the same road many times before.”

The Reverend Carl Williams told the congregation that 15 people have lost their lives on Bermuda’s roads this year.

He said the service was a solemn occasion to mark their memories, as well as others who died, including through gun violence and tragic circumstances.

Mr Williams mentioned Bermudians Marilyn Lavonne Bean and her son, Sergio Wayne Lottimore, as well as Canadians Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton and Jolene Beth Weir, who perished when an air ambulance crashed while heading to Boston from Bermuda last month.

During the service, the names of other people who died this year were read out to the congregation.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment Band, led by Captain Sheldon Fox, played musical selections during the sombre service.

In an address that was well received by attendees, Vincent Darrell, a former Bermuda youth parliamentarian, spoke of the teachings of the Bible and their relation to issues affecting the island, including road safety.

Mr Darrell said: “I want to share our hope in Jesus Christ, the only one who can bring the change our community desperately needs.”