The standards of some drivers in Bermuda are appalling. And I am not making comparisons with any other jurisdiction, nor comparing age groups, nationalities, sexes or resident status. To quote statistics that compare accident rates per 1000 vehicles or whatever totally misses the point. To anyone with a pair of eyes and a dose of common sense, it is clear that there are a whole lot of careless, idiotic, wilfully dangerous lunatics behind the wheel and handlebars out there. Our very short travel distances, short journey times and relative low speeds are the reason we do not have more accidents resulting in deaths and major injuries. It is not because we are very good drivers.Here are some examples of the terrible driving that I have personally observed, and I know that you all have your own examples.From the front window of my house which looks down onto North Shore Road, I saw a male, driving a dark green Mitsubishi Lancer wagon. He was the only occupant apart from the tiny baby he was cradling in his arms. As he drove. The baby’s head was in the crook of his left arm which gripped the wheel. In his right hand he held a baby’s bottle with which he was feeding the child. This was many months ago and I still cringe when I think about it.I regularly run over the Causeway and along Ferry Reach for exercise after work. I often see a lady driving a bike who has a tiny kid, wearing an oversized helmet, standing on the foot rest in front of her. This get up is unfortunately not uncommon, but for the life of me I do not understand why the police service does not stop this. Is this not child endangerment?Why do many car drivers move well to the right before making a left turn? Do they think they are driving a big truck or a bus? Why do we make jokes about drivers stopping in the middle of the road (and often on the brow of a hill) to talk to their ace girl/boy? That’s not just careless, it’s downright dangerous (and waving your little hand out of the window to encourage vehicles behind you to pass does not make it okay).Many years ago, on my first day of work in Bermuda, I was accused of being rude because I did not say ‘good morning’ to the third person I met on my whirlwind tour of the office. Let me tell you what is really rude stopping outside Butterfield Bank in the left hand lane on Reid St while your passenger goes inside to conduct business, stopping in the middle of junctions which are marked with the yellow (keep clear) hatch lines and when the lights change blocking other vehicles from proceeding,According to David Minors, road safety officer at the Transport Control Department, some drivers just do not want to engage in road safety. Bad behaviour derives in part from poor driving skill sets and driving standards are not what they should be. A first step in changing that situation would be making the driving test, both written and practical elements, tougher.On a positive note, the introduction of the Bermuda Youth License, introduced in November 2011 must be seen as a major step forward. No young person can obtain their motorcycle license at the age of 16 unless they have successfully completed Project Ride. It is mandatory. The Road Safety Council regularly examine accident statistics and they will be looking see if, in five to 10 years time, there will be a reduction in the number of road traffic accidents involving 20 to 30-year-olds. That will be one measure of the success of Project Ride.Ian Hind, BSc, MIRTE, is a Member of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers. He can be contacted at 296-4232 or IHind[AT]becl.bm