The Acting Commissioner of Police has insisted that most members of the public are following repeated warnings to be safe on Bermuda’s roads.

However, Na’imah Astwood said this afternoon that police will continue to warn against drink-driving and speeding until all road users follow the rules.

She explained: “One life that is lost on our roads is way too many, our job is to keep pushing that message out and drafting plans to ensure that we have a safe island and safe roads.”

Her comments came less than two days after 45-year-old Michael DeSilva lost his life in a collision near White Hill in Sandys.

Mr DeSilva, a father of three, is the tenth person to die on Bermuda’s roads this year.

Ms Astwood added that police will be at Cup Match on Thursday and Friday and plan a “high visibility presence” throughout the island from Wednesday to Sunday.

Other policing activity will include roadside sobriety checks, stop-and-searches and patrolling of “key beaches” such as Clearwater and Horseshoe Bay.

Ms Astwood said drugs and weapons searches keep people safe and have previously been successful.

She advised: “[The searches] might take a little bit longer, but if you stop, take a couple of seconds out, allow the officer to do their job … you can proceed accordingly if nothing is found.”

Ms Astwood was joined today by Ryan Robinson Perinchief, the Minister of National Security, Major Thomas Wood, the Acting Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, and Altonio Roberts, the Bermuda Road Safety Council chairman.

Police are required by law to announce when and where they will conduct roadside sobriety checks in Bermuda.

When asked if removing that requirement could affect road safety in Bermuda, Mr Robinson Perinchief said that the focus of the media conference was “safety and community co-operation”.

He added: “Ms Astwood is alerting the public, proactively and in a transparent manner, what is going to happen.

“The idea and spirit behind that is that there is some form of deterrence, the public will be aware and are co-operating with us and people can be guided accordingly.”

Major Wood said that the RBR Coastguard will patrol Bermuda’s waters throughout the Cup Match weekend and inspect all private boats at Mangrove Bay on Sunday.

He said: “With these checks in place, all attendees should be prepared to be checked before they get to the area of Watford Bridge.

“Compliance with these checks will speed up the process for all and ensure that everyone can get to the area and start enjoying themselves.”

Major Wood added that the coastguard will also use drones to expand their observation areas.

He said: “The increased overview will ensure a greater area can be covered, increase situational awareness at all times to address any potential issues and in turn reduce response times.”

Mr Roberts highlighted that it was time for Bermuda’s driving culture to change.

He said: “Please Bermuda, drive safe, never drink and drive, buckle up and slow down and let’s make this Cup Match a wonderful one for all.”