People have been three times more likely to be killed on the roads than in a gang-related shooting, police warned as they rolled out their Christmas safety message.

At a press conference today, officers noted that, between 2008 and 2015, 29 lives were lost to gun violence, compared to 92 on Bermuda’s roads.

Inspector Troy Glasgow of the Community Policing Division said the Road Safety Strategy, which began at the start of 2015, aims to save lives and make roads safer.

“We are now well into the Christmas season. During this season there is much celebration and festive cheer,” Inspector Glasgow told the media.

“However, we should also take a moment to remember those that have lost their lives on our roads, as well as those that have been seriously injured, and their families.

“To date this year there has been 11 fatal collisions, up from seven the previous year.

“Much work has been done to calm the roads and overall the numbers continue to go in the right direction. However, we also recognise that there is much more work ahead as the entire bad driving culture that has set-in on our roads must be reversed.”

On meeting the Road Safety Strategy’s objectives, he said: “We are balancing enforcement — citing traffic offenders for traffic offences — with a mission to raise awareness of bad driving behaviour, by increasing our visibility and stopping to engage in conversation with minor traffic offenders about their driving behaviour.

“These conversations are recorded by way of issuing a motorist advice notice. We can now effectively measure our performance in meeting our objectives and through feedback from members of the public who have received a notice, the notices are having the desired effect.

“Feedback is positive as some of those receiving the notice have explained how thankful they are for being spared a visit to the courts but have also confirmed that it has changed their own driving behaviour and they are more conscious of it.

“Over the holidays, we would like for motorists to take heed of the advice that has been offered by Cada, the Road Safety Council and the Police Service: celebrate responsibly, be conscious of your driving behaviour and arrive at your destination safely.

“The life you save might not just be your own.”

Cada executive director Anthony Santucci said: “If you are going home before midnight, use public transportation to get you there safely.

“We also encourage people to add the phone number of one of the local taxi cab services or a specific taxi cab driver to their mobile phone. This way, when you are ready to go home you can call a cab.”

Mr Santucci pointed to Cada’s free late night cab service, Let Us Drive, which leaves from outside the LOM Building on Reid Street between 3.15am and 3.45am every Saturday. So far, the programme has taken home more than 15,310 people.

“We believe that this programme since its inception in May 2007 has saved lives and indeed collisions,” he said.

“The third option is to assign a designated driver before you go out. We encourage everyone to exercise caution as they travel Bermuda’s roads and before you go out make sure you have a plan to get home safely.”

Road Safety Council chairwoman Erica Rance Mill said: “Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Bermuda are times where friends and family gather to celebrate.

“The Road Safety Council would love nothing more than for those celebrations to remain safe and incident free.

“Before you leave your home please prepare to give the roads your undivided attention — drive or ride distraction free. Ensure that all helmets are fastened correctly. Make sure that the driver and all passengers are safely buckled into their seatbelts. Do not speed.

“And please ensure that you have a sober designated driver or a safe way home. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”