Three crashes described as “serious” by police spanned little over a day and a half at the weekend, to a backdrop of busier than usual traffic.

Superintendent Arthur Glasford, the officer in charge of the Roads Policing Unit, said the Bermuda Police Service was “once again urging all road users to exercise greater care and caution when travelling on our island’s roads”.

He added: “This comes following a concerning number of serious road traffic collisions over the past weekend.”

Mr Glasford said that speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving, particularly the use of mobile phones, continued to stand as “key contributing factors to collisions that result in injury or worse”.

He added: “These behaviours put not only the driver at risk, but also passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.

“With schools on summer break and an increase in tourist arrivals, our roads are seeing much more activity.

“Visitors unfamiliar with our traffic regulations along with children travelling to summer camps, heading to the beach or cycling through our neighbourhoods are especially vulnerable.

“Motorists are urged to bear this in mind and to remain alert and patient.”

Mr Glasford said police were also concerned about speeding within the City of Hamilton, which “creates a risk in this high pedestrian area for residents and visitors alike”.

He urged the community to refrain from driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and to stay off “mobile phones or other distractions” while driving.

Mr Glasford called on drivers to stick to the speed limit, “adjust your speed to suit road conditions” and to keep alert, particularly in residential areas and near parks, beaches and schools.

He added: “The BPS will continue its enforcement efforts to promote road safety but we urge the public to take personal responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.

“One moment of inattention or poor judgment can have lifelong consequences.

“Let’s work together to make Bermuda’s roads safer for all.”