More than 100 motorists were arrested for driving offences over Christmas and the New Year — but Police fear many people would rather pay the fine than cut their speed.

Officers say they are getting increasingly exasperated as roadside crackdowns are failing to get the message across to offenders. They say many drivers continue to speed and simply accept they will be fined — effectively paying for the privilege of driving too fast.

Most of the offenders were snared in a Boxing Day blitz on rogue drivers in St. David’s. A breakdown of figures was not available, although a large proportion are believed to be for speeding. A further five were arrested for impaired driving over the New Year weekend.

As well as calling for everyone to watch their speed, avoid drink driving and follow the laws of the road, Police urge car drivers to use seatbelts, and motorcyclists to wear helmets and avoid “third-laning” by nipping between two lanes of traffic.

Pointing out that 13 people died in road accidents last year — with the most recent fatality occurring last Friday when 29-year-old Aaron Pace crashed his cycle into a stone wall — Bermuda Police Service spokesman Dwayne Caines stressed the importance of drivers taking care.

“Speeding is a perennial challenge in Bermuda,” he said. “There are occasions where officers are out with laser guns and people are ticketed, but the problem is so pervasive on the Island, one has to infuse law enforcement with education.

“The Bermuda Police Service has been working in tandem with the Road Safety Council to come up with creative initiatives and measures to make our roads safe. These are designed to lower road traffic collisions and ultimately deaths on our roads.

“Sadly, there’s a large segment of our community who are not listening to the message and speed recklessly throughout the Island.

“If caught, they simply pay the fine, which amounts to paying for the privilege to speed.”

In October, more than 130 tickets were handed out in one morning in a Police blitz on traffic offenders. More than 20 extra officers were drafted onto patrols, helping capture 20 drivers travelling at 54 kph or faster and a host of other law-breakers. Police have also used a string of campaigns to get the message across, including a project about Dejon Simmons, a teenager who suffered third degree burns to 90 percent of his body in a harrowing bike accident in 2004.

Officers hoped a hard-hitting television documentary showing how Dejon was forced to fight back from his injuries would encourage others to drive carefully.

However, Mr. Caines said: “We have tried every existing method — speed traps, education campaigns, the Dejon Simmons project. We spend thousands of dollars with the Road Safety Council and other private sector groups.

“The question is, is the message being adhered to? Sadly, we believe some people are listening but there’s still a large number or our community who are not.

“We have several individuals whose lives have been changed because of collisions, whether it’s paralysis, disfigurement or the fact they have had to pay a tremendous amount of money in court cases. “We need buy-in from the community to listen to the Police and slow down. Follow the rules of the road, buckle up, fasten the helmet and don’t create a third lane.

“These are simple safety practises that can save lives.”

Mr. Caines said Police would continue to carry out occasional blitzes across the Island.

“We have a traffic enforcement unit who target specific areas on the Island,” he said. “We have so many areas in Bermuda that have to be attacked.

“It will be an ongoing initiative and will be reviewed from time to time to ascertain its effectiveness. We will observe the trends and adjust our road initiatives to ensure they meet the needs of our local community.”

David Minors, acting Road Safety Council officer, said: “People should put public safety first through all aspects of road safety — wearing helmets, using seatbelts, staying within the speed limits and avoiding drink driving.”

Road safety blitz nets more than 100 motorists