The Bermuda Police Service continues to advise the motoring public to slow down and to use care, caution and courtesy on the island’s roads. Additionally, we urge those traveling in cars to use their seatbelts at all times and those traveling on motorcycles to fasten their helmets and avoid making a third lane.

During the week of Monday, July 21^st – Monday, July 28^th 2008 there were:

• Reported Injury Collisions = 22

• Reported Damage Only Collisions = 40

• Arrests on Suspicion of Impaired Driving = 2

• Vehicles Reported Taken Without Their Owners’ Consent = 25

• Number of vehicles reported stolen by parish: St. George’s = 1, Smith’s parish = 2, Pembroke = 13, Paget = 3, Warwick = 2, Southampton = 1 and Sandy’s parish = 3.

All of the vehicles removed were either auxiliary cycles or motorcycles. Of the 25 vehicles reported stolen 8 were subsequently recovered.

The Police Marine Unit will like to remind the boating public to take the necessary precautions and exercise care and caution during the Cup Match weekend.

• Ensure that your boat has sufficient fuel, batteries are charged and the vessel is fully functional before going to sea to avoid the risk of breaking down. 
• Ensure you have the required safety equipment on board for your size of vessel and that it is readily accessible. In particular, make sure there is a lifejacket for every person on board. Details of required safety equipment may be found on the Water Safety Council website at http://www.wsc.bm
• Make sure your anchor is attached to the vessel and that the rope is free of knots and wraps.
• Maintain a safe speed at all times and be sure to obey the 5 knot / no wake speed limit within 100m of the shore line. Always be aware of your wake irrespective of your speed.
• When operating a boat or jet ski in crowded bays and inlets exercise extreme caution at all times. Ensure persons under your care do not swim in boat channels or any location that may compromise their safety.
• Do not overload your vessel and never allow bow riding. If you hit a wake or need to make an unexpected maneuver your passenger(s) could be thrown under the boat and struck by the propeller.
• Be considerate to other mariners with respect to noise and behaviour.
• Ensure you are familiar with the ‘rules of the road’ as it relates to marine navigation and be sure to put them into practice. Maintain a safe distance from other vessels, and if in doubt about the actions of another vessel slow down or stop if necessary.
• If you are the operator of the vessel, do not drink alcohol and ensure your passengers do not drink excessively. The operator of the vessel is responsible for the safety of the vessel and all persons on board. 
• Ensure that a member of your family or a friend knows of your intentions and an approximate time you will be retuning to shore. It is also a good idea to file a float plan with Bermuda Radio if going offshore.
• In the event that you do break down ensure that you have emergency contact numbers available such as Bermuda Radio, Marine Police, family, friends or other services that can assist you should you need help.

The Police Marine Unit would like to wish the boating public a happy Cup Match and ask for your cooperation in making it a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone.

Around 7:05 this morning, Police received a report of a road traffic collision resulting in injury on Tamarind Vale in Warwick involving a car and a motorcycle. It appears that the motorcycle was travelling north on Tamarind Vale and the car was exiting a private driveway attempting to turn right and travel south on Tamarind Vale when the vehicles collided and then struck a wall. The rider of the cycle, a 26 year old man, sustained chest and abdominal injuries and was taken to KEMH via ambulance for treatment. The driver of the car, an 81 year old Warwick woman, was not injured. Inquiries into this incident are underway.