Junior Transport Minister Wayne Caines last night said he felt "helpless" after the death of yet another motorcyclist - but vowed to continue the fight for safer roads.

Sen. Caines said he felt heavy at hearing of the loss of 34-year-old father and husband Larry Thomas, Bermuda's eighth road fatality in the past two months.

Mr. Thomas died around 4 a.m. on Saturday after his motorcycle travelling east and a van going the opposite direction collided on Somerset Road in Sandys parish, near the junction with Tankard Lane.

The 24-year-old van driver from Sandys was unhurt and the incident is still under investigation.

Sen. Caines has posted a heartfelt message on a video on Facebook as his personal way of letting out his frustration at hearing another Bermudian was dead.

Last night, he told The Royal Gazette: "Why are people not heeding the message? What I was trying to say is we feel helpless, but we are not going to relent. "The video was a plea to Bermuda to heed the warnings."

Co-workers, friends and others in the hospitality industry were still reeling from the shock of losing one of the most popular and 'smiley' bartender's in the business.

Ronnie Thorne, owner of Salt Rock Grill Restaurant, where Mr. Thomas worked for almost two years before his death, said Mr. Thomas was one of a kind.

Mr. Thorne said: "The way he lived and looked after his children, he was an anomaly. He was one of a kind. A free spirit, who, if you came in with a frown, you'd leave smiling.

"How lucky we were who knew him. For those who didn't how unfortunate for you."

To help Mr. Thomas' wife, Shirnall with Sianon, three, and Desiree, eight's education Mr. Thorne has set up a Bermuda Savings and Loan account.

He said the restaurant had already raised more than $800 and anyone could donate funds directly to the account in the children's names at the bank.

"RIP Larry", the tribute page created for the online community Facebook had 401 members last night and more than 104 posts trying to capture Mr. Thomas' life and how he had touched theirs.

Sen. Caines posted his two-minute video early on Saturday morning, hours after Mr. Thomas passed away.

In it, he says: "I sit before you this morning, Saturday the 26th of April 2008 and another Bermudian has died.

"We are having road week. We have done everything in our power to prevent Bermudians from dying on the roads and on the very last night of the road safety campaign another young Bermudian is dead on our roads.

"What can we do? My heart is heavy this morning. It's heavy as a father. It's heavy as a road user. It's heavy as the Junior Minister for Transport.

"What can we do?"

Besides consistently advertising the message of 'Don't drink and drive', last week during Road Safety Week they simulated crash sites to slow traffic and the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA)'s 'No Alcohol Day' was on Friday.

Sen. Caines, however, said the Government and road safety campaigners will not give up and are planning a panel discussion for next month at the Bermuda College to discuss issues surrounding road safety.

Road Safety Officer, Roxanne Christopher last night said the recent death of Mr. Thomas has personally effected her, because she works with one of his family members.

She said: "I truly extend my condolences to the Thomas family and to the two young children who lost their father more than this senseless accident."

But, Ms. Christopher said, it would take more than the council to stop these senseless accidents. She said: "This is a tragic, tragic state we are in. At some point this behaviour can no longer be acceptable.

"The Road Safety Council and it's partners cannot be the only ones. It has to come from every person who has a stake in our roads. "It impacts every man, woman and child. Everyone needs to heed the message. Road Safety Week is just for one week of the year. There are 51 other weeks.

"We do our best, but it's up to individual responsibility. Persons have to make responsible choices."