There were 2,641 accidents last year -- an increase of just under six percent from 1992, said Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning yesterday.

"The main cause once again was attributed to inattention on the part of the driver.'' This accounted for 398 accidents -- 342 of which were blamed on drivers' inexperience at handling their vehicles.

P.c. Venning said there were 1,122 injury accidents, a two percent increase.

These left 1,370 people being injured -- 207 of them seriously, 1,163 slightly.

Seven fatalities were also recorded, P.c. Venning added.

Of the 720 single vehicle accidents, 315 involved livery cycles.

"Drink or drugs were suspected in 82 accidents, and the same number of persons were arrested.'' US COLD WEATHER MAY BOOST TOURISM TOU US cold weather may boost tourism Bermuda's hoteliers hope business will hot up -- thanks to the Arctic freeze overseas.

They believe shivering Americans and Canadians could flock here to escape the cold.

And the exodus should bump up hotel bookings for January, February and March.

Predicted occupancy levels for the three months are 18 percent, 19.8 percent and 28.7 percent.

These compare with levels of 15.1, 18.4 and 27.1 for the same months in 1993.

The figures were released this week by the Bermuda Hotel Association.

President-elect Mr. Dennis Tucker said yesterday: "Projections for the months of January through March show a slight improvement when compared to 1993, however, it is hoped that Bermuda will see an improvement in these numbers due to the very cold weather that the North Eastern sections of the United States and Canada are experiencing.'' Mr. Tucker pointed out December's occupancy figure was 29.2 percent. This compared with 23.4 percent and 31.8 percent for 1992 and 1991.

He added hotels ended 1993 with a "year round occupancy'' level of 59.4 percent.

This compared with 54.9 percent in 1992.

Average length of stay last year was 4.5 nights, a slight drop from 1992's figure of 4.6.

MAN FINED FOR OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR CTS Man fined for offensive behaviour Extra stress led a Warwick man to act in an offensive manner to Police officers he told Magistrates' Court.

Dennis Binns, 40, of Hillview, admitted offensive behaviour in Middle Road on December 29.

Prosecuting Sgt. Rex Osborne reported Police officers stopped Binns and he became loud and abusive.

Sgt. Osborne said he was warned about his behaviour. As they left he swore at the officers and was then arrested.

Binns, who had a long history of offences, said: "At the time I had been under a lot of stress. That particular evening I was under an extra lot of stress.

"I had been trying to keep things on the up and up but I just found myself getting abusive with the Police.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis fined Binns $150.

STUDENTS IN COLLISION WITH POLICE VAN AC Students in collision with police van Two St. George's Secondary students were injured on Tuesday afternoon when their motorcycle was in collision with a Police van.

The accident occurred around 3.45 p.m. when the cycle, travelling west on Barrack Hill, collided with the Police van at the Water Street junction.

The 16-year-old rider of the bike, from Devonshire, received cuts and grazes to his arms and legs. And his 15-year-old pillion passenger, from Pembroke, received head injuries and abrasions. But both were later released from hospital after treatment.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, Police said.

YOUNG PILLION PASSENGER INJURED AC Young pillion passenger injured A six-year-old girl pillion passenger on a motorbike suffered a gash to her ankle on Tuesday night when the driver suddenly lurched forward accidentally.

The girl and her mother had been travelling on Point Finger Road when the accident occurred. The girl's right leg got trapped in the rear wheel, causing her a sprained ankle and wound.

She has been released from hospital.

TOO MUCH CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR RIDER CTS Too much Christmas cheer for rider Police were intrigued when they saw Robert Keith Jones in a bush on Palmetto Road.

Jones, 37, of North Shore Road, Hamilton, managed to climb back onto his auxiliary cycle and ride away but he was stopped by the officers.

He admitted riding his motorcycle after consuming excess alcohol on December 18, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Prosecuting, Sgt. Rex Osborne said Police officers were on Marsh Folly Road at 2am when they saw the auxiliary cycle on the road and a man in the bush.

Sgt. Osborne said: "He got up and rode off in an erratic manner. He was stopped and found to be unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol. He was taken to Hamilton Police Station but failed to take a test.'' Jones apologised to the court. He said: "It was a stupid decision to get on my bike after a Christmas party.

"I had earlier got a taxi to and from one Christmas function. I then accepted an invitation to go to another function. It was stupidity to get on my bike after that.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis fined Jones $450 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.

THIEF MAKES A DAYLIGHT BREAK-IN CRM Thief makes a daylight break-in A Dudley Hill, Paget resident had about $350 worth of jewellery stolen from her during a daylight break-in on Tuesday.

The thief also made off with about $30 cash and some video cassette tapes, Police said.

BLACKOUT HITS HOMES IN SMITH'S BUC Blackout hits homes in Smith's Dozens of homes in Smith's were blacked out in the early hours yesterday.

Properties in Hermitage Road, Collector's Hill, and Verdmont Road were hit.

The problem was blamed on trees brushing power lines during high winds.

Bermuda Electric Light Company spokeswoman Mrs. Linda Smith said the blackout occurred at 6.32 a.m.

Engineers restored power at 7.46 a.m., she added.

"The problem is caused by wind and rain. Water on the leaves of trees weighs them down, and they come into contact with the lines.'' Yesterday's power cut follows one last Friday night.

At least seven parishes were affected -- Smith's, Paget, St. George's, Hamilton Parish, Warwick, Devonshire and Pembroke.

Smith's was the worst hit after palm trees fell on power lines.

Mrs. Smith said a circuit was lost in the Collectors Hill area at 9.27 p.m.

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