of road accidents in January.

A total of 185 accidents were reported, a jump of 14 percent on the same month in 1993, when there were 162. There were also three fatal crashes -- nearly half the number of deaths on the road in the whole of 1993.

Police Community Relations Officer Sgt. Roseanda Jones said: "Perhaps if we all keep this in mind while we are travelling on Bermuda's roads and use extra precautions, maybe there will be no more fatalities in 1994.'' The most frequent location for road traffic accidents in January was at the junction of Middle Road and Tee Street in Devonshire.

A total of 319 local people and 12 visitors were involved in all the accidents, with 79 sustaining personal injuries. A quarter of the number were aged between 31 and 40 compared to just over 10 percent aged under 21.

Sgt. Jones added: "Although speed is usually a contributing factor, the three main causes of accidents during last month were inattention, entering a main road carelessly and overtaking improperly.'' While figures for accidents showed an upward trend, the number of motorists arrested for driving while impaired by alcohol has remained fairly constant, according to Sgt. Jones.

Twenty people were arrested in January, compared to 23 in January, 1991, 20 in 1992 and 16 in 1993.

Of the 19 males and one female arrested by Police, 14 failed the alco-analyser test, three refused to take it and three passed.

The youngest person arrested was 18 years old and the eldest 73. Six people between the ages of 22 and 30 were arrested, and three each in the 18-21 and 41-50 age groups.

The most popular time for arrests was between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. And Sgt. Jones noted six accidents were caused as a result of impaired driving.