Physician Kathy Michelmore urged Government to look for new ways to tackle the high number of road fatalities and diabetes-related amputations.On Tuesday an in-depth report said the two issues were a big concern for the Island.Bermuda has the highest rate of road deaths while the rate of amputations caused by diabetes is also the highest among 29 affluent countries across the globe.Dr Michelmore, who is the Deputy Leader of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, said it would be futile to do the “same old thing” to combat these trends and urged the Government to be more progressive.She said: “We can look at these statistics quoted in the health review, wring our hands and continue to promote the same ineffective actions, or we can move boldly in a new and more productive direction. We are at crisis with regard to our roads and our country's health, we must mark these as high priorities and act now.”Individuals also need to take more responsibility, she added.Dr Michelmore said the use of roadside breath testing would help reduce alcohol related accidents, but added many accidents are due to the combination of excessive speed and difficult road conditions.“The size and number of vehicles on the roads is increasing, and this must also be a factor in our rate of accidents,” she said. “The public is constantly implored by official representatives to ‘slow down' and ‘exercise caution' but this is ineffectual without a strong police presence on the road, and apprehension and automatic prosecution of speeders and poor drivers.”She suggested implementing speed cameras and creating more rigorous driving exams.These two moves would not require more police funding, she said, which was important with the upcoming Budget.When it comes to diabetes Government could increase the number of physical education classes for the Island's youth and put healthy food into vending machines at schools and Government buildings.Dr Michelmore also suggested offering lower import duties for fresh fruit and vegetables and implementing a restriction on the mark-ups for these items.“Government has been keen to stress parental responsibility in situations where children exhibit anti-social behaviour, and perhaps there is a need to formalise parental education requirements where children are at risk of diabetes due to poor diet and lack of physical activity,” she said. “Breast-feeding has been shown to be protective against childhood obesity, and Government can act to encourage breast-feeding by improving access to community midwives in the early days post-partum for all new mothers.”