A grieving father last night urged motorists to drive safely, telling them: "Reckless driving is a sickness in Bermuda."

On the UN's World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Sheridan Nusum said while several groups have dedicated themselves to making the Island's roads safer, people don't seem to be paying attention.

His son Shannon Nusum was 20 years old when he collided with a truck in 2007 on his way to work. He died of his injuries three days later.

Mr Nusum Sr. was one of a string of people who called for improved road safety yesterday.

Ten people have been killed in collisions so far this year — down on previous years but still a higher rate than other Caribbean islands.

In total, there were almost 2,000 reported collisions in the first three quarters of the year, 107 which caused serious injuries.

Years after the death of his son in a traffic collision, Mr Nusum said he is still reminded of his loss.

"You're always reminded of it," Mr Nusum said. "Every time you read about a road death, it brings it all back up. When people pass in other ways, you're reminded."

"You never get over it."

He said that despite a number of groups campaigning for road safety, people don't seem to be paying attention.

"They don't listen. And it's not just kids, it's adults too," he said.

"You cannot regulate people by law. People have to regulate themselves. People that have lost loved ones speak out, but that doesn't slow them down."

"Reckless driving is a sickness in Bermuda. People want to get where they are going as quick as possible and they don't care how they do it."

Yesterday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for an increased focus on road safety across the world, declaring that starting on May 11, the international organisation would declare the first ever 'Decade of Action for Road Safety.'

"Many tragedies can be avoided through a set of proven, simple measures that benefit not only individuals and families, but society at large," the Secretary General said.

"If we take these simple measures, we can give real meaning to this observance, thereby honouring the memory of the victims in the best way possible, with action to spare the lives of others.

"Governments should release their national plans for the Decade when it is launched globally on May 11, 2011."

While the Bermuda Government has yet to announce any involvement in the initiative, CADA Chairman Anthony Santucci said Bermuda should implement sobriety checkpoints in time for the initiative's start.

"This is something we cannot wait a decade for," Mr Santucci said.

"If we can start the Decade of Action in May by implementing sobriety checkpoints, it would put us in a much better place."

Chairman of the Road Safety Council Dr Christopher Johnson agreed that more needs to be done to prevent people from drinking and driving.

"These fatal accidents we have are usually single men driving late at night, and alcohol or some kind of drug is often involved," he said.

"The two biggest issues we face on Bermuda's roads are drunk driving and speed."

He also stressed the importance of riders fastening their helmets, saying: "If you look at the number of serious injuries or deaths from accidents, I'm sure unfastened helmets play a major part of it. It's become the fashion to not fasten the helmet.

"We have very good compliance about wearing helmets, but we need to make sure that the helmets stay on if we are in an accident at high speed."

Transport Minister Terry Lister said that the ministry is working with both the Road Safety Council and CADA to help reduce the number of road fatalities.

"It is important that road users exercise caution and make safety a priority when they are on the road. Too often accidents are the result of inattention and simple carelessness.

"I implore the driving public to slow down and take greater care on our roads."

He was reluctant to add more legislation and rules for the roads, but added: "As time unfolds, should there be the need for such, I will act in a reasonable and responsible manner in moving legislation forward."

Road safety activist Melissa Looby said the biggest threat to our safety on the roads is the mindset of many drivers.

"We need to change the prevailing attitude of 'it won't happen to me,'" she said.

"The law stopping people from talking on their cell phones might help, but I'm not sure how many people will pay attention. It's like the seatbelt law. They passed that, but there are still lots of people who refuse to use their seatbelts.

"You can't say what will or won't help though. We have to try whatever we can to make it better."