New Year Use Your Safety Gear

A New Year brings a new start and with that the BRSC is encouraging motorists to aim for better driving behaviours in this New Year.  We encourage all road users to do their part in reducing road collisions and fatalities on our roads.

As we kick off this New Year of 2023, we would like to reiterate the following safety gear tips for all road users:

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If you are a pedestrian out walking or jogging we remind you to:

• Help yourself to be seen by wearing or carrying something light-colored, bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions
• When it is dark, use reflective materials which can be seen by drivers using headlights up to three times as far-away as non-reflective materials

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If you are a cyclist or driver/passenger of a motorcycle you should wear:

• A protective helmet that comply with regulations, that is the correct size and securely fastened.
• Appropriate clothes, avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights.
• Light-colored or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light. R
• Reflective clothing and/or accessories in the dark

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If you are a driver or passenger of a motorcar we encourage you to:

• Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Ensure that all children under 14 years of age wear a seat belt or sit in an approved child restraint.
• Use your signals (e.g. Indicators) to warn and inform other roads users, including pedestrians, of your intended actions.

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Additionally, when driving or riding, you should always look and listen for emergency services vehicles using flashing blue or red lights, sirens, or flashing headlights. When one approaches, do not panic. Consider the route and direction of travel of the vehicle and take appropriate action to create a path to avoid impending its progress. The aim is to allow the ambulance, fire vehicle or police car to safely pass your location. If necessary, pull to the side of the road or in a nearby gate, driveway or bus lay-by and stop. Avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, on a bend or narrow section of road because the emergency vehicle driver will not be able to see oncoming traffic. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not be aware of the presence of the emergency vehicle or have the same view as you.

Emergency vehicle operators appreciate drivers making room for them to pass. However, they do not want motorists to endanger themselves, other road users or pedestrians. Therefore, you must be careful if you must mount a sidewalk to get out of the way. Do not follow closely behind emergency vehicles that are traveling at speed because if they must slow down or stop suddenly, you may not be able to do the same. Motorists should be aware that more than one emergency vehicle often respond to an incident. Therefore, caution should be taken when moving off to resume your journey. Similarly, one must be careful because other drivers on the road behind you may have rejoined traffic and accelerated before you. It is important to note that clearing a path for an emergency vehicle does not mean you are exempt from obeying the laws of the road. So, while reacting promptly, you must still drive safely, comply with all traffic signs and be considerate of other road users. 

The BRSC continues to remind the motoring public to reduce your speed, drive with care and caution, and Don’t Drink and Drive. We can all do this but each one of us has to take responsibility.

Cautious Drivers = Safer Roads = Safer Bermuda

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