Police handed out more than $8,000 in traffic fines for impaired driving and speeding in the first week of year.

A spokesman said speeding offences ranged from 65kph to 85kph.

Over the last two weeks, 538 tickets were issued for a range of offences.

Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell of the police tactical unit said the island saw 17 deaths on the roads last year, with “the vast majority of them involving excessive speed, impaired driving or a combination of the two”.

He added: “It’s no secret speed and driving whilst impaired, or a combination of the two, are the biggest contributing factors to road traffic collisions in general and fatal road traffic collisions.”

Mr Cardwell said Operation Vega, a road safety campaign launched by police in July, remained in effect.

Along with speeding and drink driving, the operation targets driving without due care, driving without reasonable consideration, disobeying traffic signs and protective headgear offences.

Police are also on the lookout for seatbelt and mobile phone offences.

Mr Cardwell said: “Our collective message to the public continues to be slow down, do not operate any vehicle if you’re impaired, drive or ride carefully and cautiously and obey traffic signals and signs.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”