Police are urging motorists to drive responsibly for their own safety and that of other road users, after the release of the latest traffic offence statistics.

Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell made the plea after revealing a big rise in the number of motorists arrested for driving while impaired.

According to the figures, released today under Operation Vega, 87 drivers, were arrested for the offence in the first four months of this year – up from 55 in the same period last year.

Mr Cardwell said: “Operation Vega remains a priority for the Bermuda Police Service.

“However, while enforcement has a role to play in helping to reduce harm on our roads, every road user has a responsibility to ensure their own safety and the safety of others, in their daily travels around the island.”

Officers issued 471 traffic tickets in April, up from 468 in the previous month. In addition, 59 motorists were given official written warnings, up from 51 in the previous month, and 209 parking tickets were handed out, up from 172 in the previous month.

Police launched Operation Vega in July, 2021 in an effort to clamp down on poor driving habits. A total of 9,634 traffic tickets have been issued since then.