A police campaign launched more than three years ago to crack down on poor driving habits has had some successes, but failed overall to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on Bermuda’s roads.

The Bermuda Police Service launched Operation Vega in July 2021 — a campaign that would take “a targeted approach to the most prevalent offences committed on the roads” — in an effort to reduce collisions and road deaths.

However, today the BPS accepted that the number of traffic offences on the island’s roads had increased since the launch of the campaign.

The number of road deaths — averaging about 11 each year over the past decade — has also failed to drop.

Last year, there were 13 fatalities on the island’s roads, while 2022 saw 11 road deaths. There were 15 fatalities in 2021.

Robert Cardwell, Acting Superintendent of the force’s tactical support division, said: “By design, it was hoped that increased traffic enforcement through Operation Vega would have had an impact on road traffic collisions and reduce the number of traffic offences.

“However, this has not proven to be the case, with between four and six road traffic collisions being reported daily, and reported traffic offences increasing.”

Mr Cardwell said that many collisions were avoidable, but a poor driving culture was fuelling bad habits such as inattention, speeding and driving without due care and attention.

Mr Cardwell also accepted that impaired driving continued to be a menace on Bermuda’s roads, and was “a significant cause of collisions”.

He said: “Impaired driving numbers continue at a high rate. Individuals who engage in this practice risk not only their own lives, but the lives of every other road user as well.

“The culture of impaired driving in Bermuda is an unfortunate situation that policing alone will not get rid of. If you have been drinking, do not drive or ride.

“Road safety must be taken seriously, and all road users must take responsibility for their driving behaviour.”

Mr Cardwell cited mobile phone use as another common offence.

He said: “Using a cellular phone while operating a vehicle is a distraction, and the signs are clear when a person does this. These include suddenly swerving, travelling at a very low rate of speed and disobeying traffic signs and signals.

“If you are driving, put the phone down. This is a simple undertaking. If your phone rings and you must answer the call, pull over to the side of the road in a safe place to take the call.”

Despite the disappointing statistics, Mr Cardwell said the service remained “steadfast in the mission to make Bermuda safer”.

He said: “This includes on the roads. To prevent a collision, slow down, always drive sober, do not drive when stressed or tired, put your phone down and please wear your seatbelt and fasten your helmet.”

Statistics released by the BPS today reveal that there have been 152 instances of drink-driving so far this year, and 1,339 cases of speeding.

When Operation Vega was launched, it was hoped that an increased police presence would deter motorists from breaching traffic laws.

However, the Police Commissioner at the time, Stephen Corbishley, said that other deterrents — such as an increase in fines for basic driving errors — were outdated and needed to be ramped up.

“The current framework of enforcement in Bermuda is not strong enough,” Mr Corbishley said.

“You can go through a red traffic light and get a $50 fine, yet we see people going to court for Covid regulation offences where they receive fines in the thousands.

“That’s not to knock anything around Covid regulations, because they are important for the country — but when somebody jumps a red light, they put lives at risk.”

Mr Corbishley added that the requirement for police to announce road sobriety checkpoints ahead of time “frustrates the process”.