Operation Vega hailed as success in reducing road crashes – The Royal Gazette
Created: April 11, 2022 12:07
Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell launched Operation Vega (file photo by Blaire Simmons)
A crackdown on poor driving habits appears to have resulted in fewer crashes for the second consecutive quarter, police said today.
There were 243 collisions from January to March this year, compared to 306 in the first three months of 2021 and 257 for the same period in 2020.
The Bermuda Police Department added that the numbers for 2019 and 2018 were 324 and 330, respectively.
Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell, Tactical Support Division, said: “We can now report that Operation Vega appears to have captured the collision statistics.
“We reported a reduction in collisions of up to 100 in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of the previous three years.
“Now, for the first quarter of 2022, we can again report a reduction in collisions, compared to previous years while Operation Vega was underway.”
He added: “While this shows some success with the launch of Operation Vega, it is not a panacea for reducing collisions.”
The operation was launched last July to target the most common offenses committed on the island’s roads.
In the last three months of 2021, there were 252 collisions, compared to 353 for the same period in 2020.
There were 318 accidents in the fourth quarter of 2019 and 340 in 2018.
Mr Cardwell said today: “Our approach has been twofold: education – working with the Bermuda Road Safety Council – and enforcement.
“We are saddened that we have been forced to devote more energy to traffic enforcement to reverse crash trends.”
He added that 353 moving tickets have been issued in the past two weeks along with 36 warnings.
Mr Cardwell said: ‘During the duration of Operation Vega, 4,448 traffic offenders have been brought to court, to be dealt with for traffic offences.
“Speeding continues to be the most reported traffic violation.
“We encourage the public to pay full attention to the way they drive or ride when operating a motor vehicle.
“Please slow down – speed kills.”