The head of the Road Safety Council has called for a toughening of Bermuda's traffic penalties to be able to come to grips with speeding and reckless driving.

Dr. Joseph Froncioni said the Island has been too soft on traffic offenders yesterday in a Police press conference on road safety, called in the wake of more than 200 arrests by traffic officers over the weekend.

He linked the increase in traffic incidents to the way we deal with offenders, saying: “We have to be not only nasty, but we have to make these offences criminal offences.

“The terms must be increased. Where I come from in Quebec, there are very few cases of people driving drunk because the penalties are so strict.”

Dr. Froncioni said that the reason the driving problem has gotten so bad is due to a number of factors, including an inability to improve roads because of lack of room, the increase in the number of vehicles, and the general attitude of people when driving.

Dr. Froncioni added: “You'll find me repeating this over and over again until it sinks in. Accidents are not accidents. Accidents are perceived as something that just happens out of the blue, an act of God, but they are not. They are predictable and preventable. It's time we remove the word ‘accident' from our vocabulary.”

Road Safety Officer of the Transport Control Department Roxanne Christopher welcomed college students back to Bermuda, but pleaded with parents to keep a closer eye on them while they are at home.

She said: “There is an abundance of risky behaviour that our college students engage in. Please parents take heed.”

Ms Christopher sent a message to hotels and bars about binge drinking: “I'm asking these establishments to ensure that staff members can also decide for their patrons when enough is enough. Corporate citizens must not just look at the bottom corporate dollar, but for the safety and well being of the public.”

President of the Chamber of Commerce Charles Gosling represented the restaurant division at the conference. He stated: “This is a community wide problem. It is the responsibility of not only establishments, but also friends to ensure people are not driving drunk.”

He stated the continued commitment to the Bermuda Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service (BRASS) programme. The BRASS programme began in November 2000, and aims to provide training to managers of licensed establishments.

Ross Hillen of BF&M Insurance Group acted as a representative for the insurance industry. He told the public: “If penalties are incurred, there are a variety of consequences that can be implemented by the insurance company.”

He added: “We within the insurance industry implore the public, along with the rest of these parties, to practice safe driving.”

Mr. Hillen provided information about BF&M's general policy towards traffic offences. He give a list of options when faced with offenders with serious offenders, including loading premiums, increasing deductibles, removing discounts, and even declining coverage.

When asked later to explain how people who have committed serious traffic offences could be dealt with by their insurers, Mr. Hillen said: “It depends on the severity of the offence, for example driving whilst intoxicated within the insurance industry is perceived to be the most serious offence.

“After an initial conviction, generally the premium would double. If after the individual satisfies the sentence (from the court) and returns to the road and subsequently commits the same offence that individual's insurance company is likely to decline further insurance.

Mr. Hillen: “For other offences, namely dangerous driving, the consequences will not be as severe but the individual can anticipate heavy loadings in premiums and if combined with a further offence - for example speeding - the insurance company will certainly impose a significant increase in the premium.

“And possibly withdraw own damage cover and give third party cover only at a significantly higher premium than what other members of the public would pay.”

Bermuda Police Service's Head of Operational Policing, Supt. Sinclair White told members of the press that Police will continue to follow a zero-tolerance policy towards speeders and those who drive while impaired.

He added: “If you are late, so be it. Get their safely instead.”

Inspector Tyrone Smith warned the public: “Anyone detected of speeding is likely to be stopped. And the speed limit is 35kph, not 40 or 50.

“Any Police vehicle can have a laser unit on it, not just bikes.”

Mr. Smith then revealed an approximate ten percent increase in accidents this year. He said that while there have been no fatalities yet, five out of seven were due to alcohol last year.

The press conference followed the news that over 200 people were ticked for speeding over the weekend, with six at speeds exceeding 100 kph. Supt. White stated: “This type of road behaviour is most unacceptable.”