The Government must take urgent action “to curb the carnage” on Bermuda’s roads, according to the opposition One Bermuda Alliance.

Michael Dunkley, the Shadow Minister of National Security, spoke out after the island recorded its fifth road fatality of the year when Marco Warren died after a hit and run collision.

Mr Dunkley approved of that move, but said more action needed to be taken immediately.

He said: “The need for a significant improvement in road safety is urgently required throughout the island. While the One Bermuda Alliance supports the Road Safety Council in stating our driving culture and attitude must change, this will take time and it also requires more enforcement for positive change.”

The Bermuda Police Service launched Operation Vega, a crackdown on poor driving, two years ago, but statistics show that the number of accidents, fatalities, and tickets for more minor offences had not fallen.

Mr Dunkley said: “In light of continued speeding, reckless driving, drunk driving and many accidents, resulting far too often in serious injury and fatalities, the Government must do more to curb the carnage and bring calm to our roads.”

Mr Dunkley said increased penalties were one tool that the Government could introduce, but other measures were necessary.

He said: “While Operation Vega tickets a large number of road users, it is intermittent and more is required.

“Many road users have a blatant disregard for the rules of the road and have no fear of being caught. Police must be out and about on our roads every day. However they are unable to due to other responsibilities or a lack of resources

Mr Dunkley also urged the Government to employ an effective island-wide CCTV system.

“The current one, as the minister has admitted, is working at much less than capacity with many cameras out of service or unrepairable. It needs to be replaced.”

Mr Dunkley said while the PLP Government had talked about CCTV improvements under former national security minister Renée Ming, little action had taken place with budgeted funds for last year not being used and the funding transferred to the current financial year.

He also urged speed cameras to be incorporated in the CCTV system.

He said: “These are just a few important measures which will bring a much higher level of safety to our roads and help to avoid some of the tragedy that is all too frequent.

“The PLP has displayed little concern or effort towards road safety in spite of the treacherous situation on our roads and the need to support the Bermuda Police Service.

“Evidence of this lack of concern was provided during the Budget debate during which the minister read for more than four-and-a-half hours and hardly mentioned road safety or outlined plans to deal with it.

“Talk is cheap. It’s time for action from the 30.”

Wayne Furbert, the Minister of Transport, has hinted that penalties for motoring offences could be increased to make them a more effective deterrent.

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, confirmed that penalty hikes for road offences could be in the pipeline.

He said: “The Bermuda Police Service welcomes Minister Furbert’s comments and review of traffic offence penalties.

“The BPS has had ongoing dialogue with the minister, who is clearly keen to reduce road harm, in relation to traffic offences and penalties.

“While it would be premature to share the details at this time, I am optimistic that proposed amendments will be a positive step towards changing minds and changing behaviour.”