Concern After Recent Uptick in Motorcyclists Failing to Stop for Police

Mon, 2023-04-17

Over the past week the Bermuda Police Service has seen an uptick in persons on motorcycles failing to stop, evading police and travelling at excessive speeds. There were three such incidents on Thursday evening alone. These incidents which are dangerous to all involved, are of great concern. Subjects later arrested in relation to these matters will appear before the courts in due time.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes said: “Individuals fleeing from police by driving at high rates of speed, pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of not only those involved in the situation, but also to other motorists as well as members of the public. “

Police officers are trained to ensure their response to drivers who choose to flee is appropriate and proportionate to the level of risk posed and safety of the officers themselves and other road users is always a priority.

This means officers will at times, end a pursuit if it is determined poses that level of risk that is out of proportion to the offences committed.

The public is reminded that under the Road Traffic Act 1947, the driver of a vehicle on any road shall, when requested to do so by a police officer or when a police officer signals to him to do so, immediately bring the vehicle to a stop and keep it stationary until the police officer permits him to proceed.

A police officer may give a signal to stop a vehicle by raising his hand or by waving from side to side a red light. Any person who fails to comply with any such request or signal commits an offence against this Act.