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Dear Sir,

Firstly let me offer my heartfelt condolences to all those families who lost loved ones on Bermuda's roads last year and in fact all the years before that. My heart truly goes out to you all in your grief.

I would like to direct this letter to the members of the Road Safety Council and all of the Members of the House.

Please make this the year that you will really deal with the problems on our roads.

IF the sides of the roads were clearly marked with white lines;

IF all kerbs on corners and junctions were marked with reflective paint;

IF the entire length of Middle, South, Harbour and North Shore roads were fitted with "Cats Eyes" ;

IF the solar crossing lights could be placed on ALL pedestrian crossings and the general public educated on how to use them;

IF the street lighting were better maintained and dark areas eliminated (& illuminated);

IF Daylight Running Lights were the law.

THEN there would be a much greater chance of preserving lives.

The use of headlights during the day may seem odd, but when you have just driven thru bright sunlight and enter a shaded piece of road, while your eyes are adjusting to the change of light level, a cycle rider or even a parked car, can be almost invisible.

So many accidents happen at night, not necessarily through carelessness or even drug or alcohol abuse, but also thru poor visibility and insufficient road marking to make the route clear.

While we all are aware that our youngsters feel it is cool to speed and education and BIG FINES/VEHICLE CONFISCATION are needed to deter this, it is not just speeding that is the problem.

Anyone who has worked long hours, late into the night is at risk on poorly marked roads.

Anyone who has good vision in daylight but difficulty driving at night is at risk.

Anyone who for whatever reason is not wearing their prescription glasses to drive is at risk.

Anyone who is not familiar with a particular road, on bike or car is at risk, due to rotten road markings and signs, overgrown hedges obscuring junctions and street lights.

Those of us who have been privileged to drive overseas must all be aware of the contrast between our roads and those in UK. USA, Canada, where CATS EYES are the norm and at night the shape of the route is clearly displayed for 100 yds or more ahead as your headlamps pick them up. This is a huge safety assist!

Lastly please require all vehicles to "light up" as soon as the street lights come on. Driving at dusk without lights can make many vehicles, particularly cyclists speeding or "making the nip" almost invisible and those drivers seem impervious to the fact that other drivers may not see them from sufficient distance to avoid them!!

Lives are precious, please let us not lose one more, ever, on our roads.

Margaret Forster

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