Police will be out across the island this weekend to help ensure a peaceful and safe Bermuda Day holiday.

A police spokesman said that the public can expect to see an increased police presence, particularly overnight, and roadside sobriety checkpoints will be in place from today until Monday.

“The motoring public should be mindful that the police will be highly visible on the roads,” the spokesman said.

“In addition to calming the roads, there will be an emphasis on offences such as speeding, impaired driving and driving without due care and attention.

“Remember, road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

The spokesman also urged the public to be mindful of their neighbours while enjoying the weekend’s festivities.

“Bermuda Day brings with it a party atmosphere,” he said. “Loud music, both in residential neighbourhoods and on the water, is a feature of this holiday.

“We ask a couple of things of the public. Patience and tolerance on the part of the persons who enjoy a more sombre celebration, along with a display of respect and courtesy on the part of those who take a more festive approach.

“We encourage members of the community, to work together to keep the peace in their neighbourhoods. Please exercise patience, tolerance, and caution so that we all have a good time.”

The spokesman said that the Bermuda Day Parade and Bermuda Day race events would have an impact on motorists, and police will be out to assist.

The Sinclair Packwood Memorial Bicycle Race is scheduled to start at 8.20am with participants setting out from York Street in St George’s and end at Cedar Avenue, in Hamilton.

Meanwhile the Junior Sinclair Packwood Memorial Bicycle Race will start on Middle Road in Devonshire at 8.20am and conclude at Dutton Avenue in Pembroke.

The Bermuda Half Marathon Derby, which will include about 1,000 runners, will start on York Street at 8.30am and finish at Dutton Avenue, while the Junior Classic Running Race will start at 9.45am at the east end of Front Street and conclude on Dutton Avenue.

“As in previous years, the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Reserve Police and the race organisers will have officers and marshals positioned along the routes.

“They are there to minimise risks to all road users, especially the cyclists and the runners,” the spokesman said.

“We are asking the motoring public to fully co-operate with any directions given. We all need to do our best to ensure there are no collisions with race participants, as that could lead to serious injury or death.

The road closures are expected to be in effect from 8am until about 12.30pm with no traffic allowed in either direction during the races.

The Bermuda Day Parade will start on Front Street at about 1.30pm and conclude at about 7pm.

“The parade will start on Front Street, near the junction with Bermudiana Road and travel along Front Street to Court Street, Church Street and Cedar Avenue before concluding on Marsh Folly Road,” the spokesman said.

“No parking areas will be marked, and specific road closure times are contained in the gazetted notices.

“Once the roads are closed in the City of Hamilton, no persons will be allowed to move their vehicles between the time that the races start and the end of the parade.

“During the parade, King Street between Reid Street and Church Street will be converted into a two-way street from 12.30pm until the conclusion of the parade.”