A decision by the Road Safety Council to use graphic images of injuries suffered by people in road crashes in a hard-hitting advertising campaign has sparked a big debate.

Here are some of the comments readers sent into The Royal Gazette.

Deborah Wales said in an e-mail: "Yes, I am in favour of the graphic images being displayed. However, reading in the newspaper that restaurants will be included this I do not agree with.

"Not everyone can stomach these photos. So in consideration of those of us who do not drink, but love to dine [they should be posted in] clubs and bars and the bar area in restaurants. I pray that this venture will make a difference."

Tony Paulos told us: "I think it is a wonderful idea. There are too many young men dying on our roads.

"We need the message to be out there. If it takes putting up messages all over our Island to warn them, then that is what we are going to do."

Mary Frances Brown said: "Until you take the vehicle from the offender there will be no significant change. There is plenty of room on the base for an impound lot. Use it."

And Antwan Albuoy e-mailed us saying: "I am in agreement, but I think it should be taken a step further.

"Last year I was in discussion with some friends regarding road safety and I suggested that TCD/Road Safety Council make teenagers visit the morgue and see the victims of road fatalities in person, as part of their licensing requirements. Considering this is Bermuda, I doubt if that will ever happen!"

Shirley Ann Smith said: "I think it is an excellent idea and am very supportive of this effort!

"As a matter of fact, I was recently in New Mexico and noticed that they had posters strategically placed on their highways featuring photos of victims of road fatalities.

"The first few I kind of ignored, but I started seeing so many I began to take notice and then realised it was a part of their road safety campaign.

"I actually thought to myself, 'this is something that Bermuda should try', but just as quickly dismissed the idea thinking that, because Bermuda is such a small community, it may not bode well with relatives and friends of the victims.

"In retrospect, perhaps this is exactly why it may have a positive impact in Bermuda.

"I would like to personally thank the families of the individuals on these posters, who have put their personal grief and emotions aside and had the courage to give permission for use of these photos to the Road Safety Council. This will surely benefit our community and hopefully change the mind set of our road users."

However, Hamish Stirling wrote: "I am of the opinion that the idea of attempting to save lives and decrease serious injuries is a good one, but not at the expense of removing the rights of the individual.

"The Police do not and should not have the authority to randomly stop and check people. A person's right to move about freely without Police interference is just as important and as basic as the right to life. I don't drink at all and I don't want the Police being able to stop me simply because they have been given the authority."