Bermuda Road Safety!

The Royal Gazette reports that a homeowner has called for Government to put metal rails along Harbour Road to prevent drivers from crashing into property there. Nigel Prescott’s home sits along Harbour Road near the junction of Valley Road.

Yesterday morning, a car smashed into the Bermuda stone wall that separates his property from the main road. The impact sent large slabs of concrete crashing down to the entrance of his home the fourth such accident in the past two years. Mr. Prescott said his tenant heard a crash around 5 a.m. but thought it was thunder. The damage wasn’t discovered until after 8 a.m. Gallons of water were lost and the driveway flooded, because the home’s main water pipe broke as a result of the accident.

We’ve written on this blog about possible bike lanes being added to our roads. Anyone who’s driven along Harbour Road knows it can be a death trap. Tourists should beware and should avoid it at all costs. Do you think that there should be metal railings added to safe guard against accidents like this?

We’re asking motorists for a signed commitment that they will focus on the road when behind the wheel. For 30 days, we’re asking you to just drive. No texting. No eating, No fiddling. No make-up applying. Just drive.

The Royal Gazette writes:

Drivers have until the end of September to pledge to abide by safe driving habits for a 30-day period.

As part of that, they agree not to change radio stations, apply make-up, eat, drink or read while driving.

The Council also calls for drivers not to text or talk on the phone acts recently made illegal which carry a fine of up to $500.

Road Safety officer David Minors said: “Distracted driving is an extremely common but often dangerous practice — whether in the car or on a bike.

“We wanted to encourage all motorists in Bermuda to do their part in making our roads safer. By making their own personal pledge to change their habits they are more likely to commit and form a long-term change in behaviour.”

A similar effort was started in the US by talk show host Oprah Winfrey, he added.

Get Real, Drive Smart!

The Ministry of Tourism and Transport moved to clarify recent reports regarding the legislation on motorists’ use of mobile devices while driving. The public is reminded that the amendments to the Motor Car (Construction Equipment and Use) Regulations 1952, and the Auxiliary Bicycle Construction and Equipment in Use 1954, and the Traffic Offences Procedures Act 1974 became law recently.

The Ministry reconfirmed that the use of cellular phones and other hand held electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle is unlawful. To provide further clarity for the public, the Ministry offered a list of list of devices which are prohibited under the amended legislation. This is by no means and exhaustive list:

* All hand-held cell phones, i.e. Blackberry, iPhones, Palm and other mobile devices (LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, HTC, etc.).
* All hand-held electronic equipment, i.e. Nintendo Gameboy, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, iPods (all models including the iPad), PDAs, PlayStation Portable game systems, and all hand-held educational gaming systems (Leapsters, etc.).

With regard to display screens, the following are prohibited:

* Computers, televisions, DVD players, blu-ray players, or any other device with a display screen where the display screen is visible to the driver of the vehicle.

Exemptions from the prohibition of display screens are as follows:

* GPS devices
* Logistical transportation tracking system devices used for commercial purposes
* Collision avoidance system devices
* Instrumental display screens used to provide info regarding the status of various systems of the motor vehicle.
* Driver exemptions: drivers of an ambulance, fire-fighting vehicle or police vehicle (emergency vehicles only).

Courtesy of Bernews

The Helmet Exchange continues to create positive ripples within Bermuda. The Royal Gazette reports that Opposition Leader and Shadow Transport Minister Kim Swan has congratulated the Road Safety Council on its recent helmet exchange initiative.

The campaign group offered a 20 percent discount on new helmets on Friday, July 16, for those handing in their old ones.

According to the Road Safety Council, helmets should be replaced if they have been involved in a crash, if they have been dropped, have cracks or dents or are more than two to four years old.

The result was that 106 old helmets were handed in, to be replaced by new ones. The Road Safety Council later posted a video on the YouTube website, showing the old helmets piled up outside City Hall.

Mr. Swan said yesterday: “With a few weeks left in summer, it is important for us to remain safe on the roads. “I congratulate the Road Safety Council on the release of the YouTube video further promoting the helmet exchange initiative, which resulted in more than 100 people exchanging inferior helmets for safer helmets.

“This initiative together with encouraging motorists to tightly fasten their helmets ensures the best chance to reduce head injuries in the event of an accident.”

Mr. Swan added: “I also want to take the opportunity to encourage the Police to set up checkpoints at strategic locations to reduce driving under the influence. Such actions can help change the mindset of those who make the roads unsafe for others.”

Don’t forget to come to City Hall between 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm to exchange your old helmets to receive a 20% off gift voucher for a new helmet!

This Friday, July 16, 2010 The Bermuda Road Safety Council is offering a helmet exchange. Simply bring an old helmet to City Hall between 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm and receive a 20% off voucher towards a new helmet from: HWP, Cycle Care, Bermuda Bikes, Oleander Cycles and/or World Wide Distributors. Don’t miss this great opportunity to use your head!

The Royal Gazette reports today that the Premier is tabling legislation that will ban cell phone usage while driving. The consequence of using a cell phone? A $500 fine. In a land where if you’re charged with a DUI, the sentence is a $1000 fine and a one year licence suspension, do you think that a $500 fine is enough? The DUI’s don’t seem to be on the decline and we all know how much Bermudians love their Blackberry’s. What do you think - do you think the punishment fits the crime?

While we lean towards more of a ’speed demon’ instead of ‘road hog’ mentality, the message is still loud and clear. We at the Bermuda Road Safety Council are always thinking of ways for you to use your head. Stayed tuned for a new initiative…