Bermuda's road death rate has rocketed into the highest category on the international scale — dwarfing latest figures for every Caribbean island.

The nine fatalities in 2009 so far give the Island an annual fatality rate of 27.7 per 100,000 people. It puts Bermuda into the 'high risk' section of a list compiled by the Pan American Health Organization, with only Belize suffering a worse rate in North America, South America or the Caribbean.

The figure is based on an estimated Bermuda population of 65,000 and assumes nobody else will die in road crashes before the end of June. PAHO's most recent statistics, based on data collected between 2000 and 2003, show Cayman Islands has a 14.6 rate; Jamaica 14.8; Bahamas 20.8; and Aruba 18.3.

Out of nearly 40 countries in the region, only five countries join Bermuda in the high-risk bracket.

Seventeen people were killed on Bermuda's roads in 2008, making it the worst year in a decade.

This year's tally has soared following three deaths in just over five days at the turn of this month. By comparison, Turks and Caicos has suffered no road deaths so far this year and Cayman Islands two.

Responding to the death rate yesterday, Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown said in a statement: "I heard of the recent tragedies while on vacation and it was heartbreaking to think about the families back home having to deal with the grief of these road deaths.

"The Government has expressed condolences to the families involved and we must continue our efforts to influence personal choice through our public education campaign."

Shadow Transport Minister Michael Fahy said in a statement: "Bermuda has one of the worst road death rates in the world.

"While the comparisons may not be like with like, in that in most jurisdictions road deaths are a result of car wrecks rather than motorcycle wrecks, Bermuda's is particularly appalling since the vast majority are single vehicle crashes.

"When you combine that statistic with the fact that over 70 percent of road deaths and injuries involve drugs and/or alcohol you have to recognise that there seems to be an acceptance in the community of drunk driving and poor driving skills.

"We are not doing enough to stop the carnage on our roads. We cannot continue to wring our hands. Something must be done to turn around the situation.

"Three deaths in a week and one very serious accident on the weekend tell us that nothing meaningful is happening to stop the slaughter.

"If the same number of people had been killed by gunshots, I believe we would be in the grip of a national emergency, with the Island's leadership huddling to announce plans of action to diminish the problem.

"That is not happening even though the breakdown in road safety threatens our quality of life, our attractiveness as a business centre and the lives of Bermudians and visitors, young and old.

"I am very concerned that Bermuda is getting used to road deaths and serious injury as a fact of everyday life however unpalatable.

"It doesn't have to be this way. We must make an effort to do something even if the problem is deep set.

"What the situation requires first and foremost is leadership. Nothing will happen without someone — in this case the Premier as Transportation Minister — taking charge to reduce the number of road fatalities.

"I would urge him to view the road safety situation in Bermuda as a national emergency and to come forward with a 'Safer Roads' programme."

Sen. Fahy suggested a 'life-saving punch list' including:

• provide budget support to the Bermuda Police Service to increase the traffic division for a stronger, more visible Police presence on the roads;

• speed cameras, speed bumps, cats' eyes and better lighting;

• redesigned, safer pedestrian crossings;

• more skid resistant road surfacing;

• later hours for the running of public buses;

• more roadside alcohol testing.

Aside from Bermuda, the other countries in PAHO's high-risk bracket are: Belize, rating 29.5; Venezuela 22.7; Guyana 21.1; Bahamas 20.8; Guatemala 20.1.

Other countries:

Anguilla: 8.3 (in 2002)

Antigua & Barbuda: 18.5 (2001)

Aruba: 18.3 (2001)

Bahamas: 20.8 (2000)

Bermuda: 27.7 (2009)

Cayman Islands: 14.6 (2002)

Cuba: 11.4 (2002)

Dominica: 8.5 (2001)

Dominican Republic: 14.6 (2000)

Haiti: 1.5 (2000)

Jamaica: 14.8 (2003)

Puerto Rico: 14.6 (2002)

St. Kitts and Nevis: 7.9 (2001)

St. Lucia: 17.1 (2001)

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: 4.4 (2001)

Trinidad & Tobago: 10.1 (2003)

UK Virgin Islands: 12.0 (2002)