Bermuda's roads are not to blame for most of the Island's accidents, it's bad driving.

That's the view of road users interviewed in a straw poll conducted by The Royal Gazette last week.

Many of the people asked if they considered Bermuda's roads dangerous agreed with housewife Mrs. Susan Ball, who said: "The roads aren't bad but some of the people are.'' Following the Island's ninth road death in six months, The Royal Gazette asked passers-by in Hamilton for their thoughts on the subject.

While some said the roads could be improved in certain "trouble spots'' on the Island, everyone conceded that responsibility for road accidents ultimately lay with the drivers.

Veteran taxi driver Mr. Malcolm Johnson, said: "There is a lot of traffic and some roads like Harbour Road can be extremely ticklish -- but still you can't blame the streets. It's due to recklessness -- that's what the problem is.'' "The roads have always been the same. It's the people. They're getting less responsible,'' said boat pilot, Mr. Randy Flood.

And according to primary school teacher, Ms Kim Creighton: "People are not as cautious on the roads as they used to be.'' But almost everyone mentioned speeding as the main reason for the increase in accidents in Bermuda.

"The roads are dangerous only if you can't drive,'' said Mr. Derek Caines, who works at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. "A lot of young folks have got to take their time. They should slow down to ride according to the traffic. But then I guess some people are just going to speed anyhow.'' "People just have to take more care,'' said Ms Elizabeth Perret, a nurse at St. Brendan's Hospital.

"They know the speed limit, Why is it necessary to go at 60 kph around a bend?'' "We're only a 22 square mile island -- Bermuda is not the United States. I don't understand why drivers need to go so fast when it doesn't take long to get from one end of the Island to the other anyway.'' But she said widening the roads was not the answer.

"That just encourages more speeding like Palmetto Road. I think that it causes people to speed more and so there are more accidents as a result.'' However, many disagreed, like shop assistant Miss Emilia Pereira, who complained of frequent accidents outside her home due to a blind corner.

"My gate gets banged seven times a year. I live opposite the National Sports Club in Devonshire where there's a terrible corner. There are lots of accidents there -- sometimes two or three a week. The roads should be changed.'' And according to Bank of Bermuda employee Ms Jane Martin there should be more sidewalks.

"I feel very strongly there should be more sidewalks and wider roads. Harbour Road is a classic example. But it's also the way people drive -- they don't pay attention to the road rights of others.'' "It's a combination of things. If people would do the speed limit at 20 mph, the roads wouldn't be dangerous but given that they don't and that some of the roads like Spice Hill Road are really twisted, that makes it dangerous,'' said student Mr. Anthony Wedderborn.

Mr. Paul Doughty, a charter boat captain, suggested that a driving education programme should be taught in schools.

"I think that something like that would considerably improve some peoples' road manners,'' he said.

Mrs. Susan Ball.

Mr. Malcolm Johnson.

Ms Kim Creighton.

Ms Elizabeth Perret.

Mr. Paul Doughty.

Mr. Anthony Wedderborn.