The Public Health Impact of Road Traffic Collisions

27 March, 2026

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to address an issue that continues to affect our community deeply. An issue that strains our health system, burdens our emergency services, and brings immense hardship to families across Bermuda. I am referring to the ongoing impact of road traffic collisions.

Recent analysis of Emergency Department activity at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, covering the three-year period from January 2023 through December 2025, provides a sobering picture. During that time, more than 3,760 of those visits were the direct result of road traffic collisions. That is more than 100 people every single month. People whose lives were disrupted, often in an instant, due to collisions on our roads.

Mr. Speaker,

While many of these individuals were treated and discharged home, far too many required acute hospital care. Nearly 10 percent of all collision-related patients were admitted to the hospital, staying on average for more than seven days. Others suffered head injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and other forms of trauma with long-lasting consequences. Tragically, some did not survive.

These numbers tell only part of the story. Behind every statistic is a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, someone whose life has been altered. These accidents result in physical pain, emotional distress, financial hardship, and in some cases long-term disability. For parents, partners, and children, the consequences extend far beyond the hospital walls.

Mr. Speaker,

The data also reveals who is most affected. Young people, particularly young male residents, are disproportionately represented. Individuals aged 18 to 35 accounted for more than two-fifths of all collision-related hospital visits. These are young adults in the prime of their lives, many of whom are just entering the workforce, pursuing higher education, or starting families. When they are injured, it affects not only their own future but the stability of the households they support.

Mr. Speaker,

These incidents also place a substantial burden on our emergency services. Nearly 44 percent of collision victims required ambulance transport, reflecting the urgent and often traumatic nature of these events. This level of demand affects EMS response times and resource availability for other medical emergencies.

Within the Emergency Department, trauma teams must be continuously prepared for the most serious cases, including those requiring resuscitation, rapid intervention, and specialized care. Each road traffic accident therefore has broader implications for how the hospital allocates staff, space, and resources.

Mr. Speaker,

It is important to acknowledge that the vast majority of those injured on our roads, more than 93 percent, are Bermuda residents. This is not a visitor-driven issue. It is our issue. It affects our families, our communities, and our future.

The findings of this three-year analysis make it clear that a coordinated response, which includes all stakeholders, is needed.

Mr. Speaker,

Road safety is not solely a transportation issue. It is a public health issue. It is a family issue. And it is a community issue. The impact of road traffic collisions is felt not just in the Emergency Department but in living rooms, workplaces, and classrooms across Bermuda.

As Minister of Health, I reaffirm this Government’s commitment to working collaboratively with our partners in public safety, transportation, and community organizations to reduce preventable injuries, support emergency responders, and ensure that families receive the care and assistance they need.

Together, we can make our roads safer and protect the lives and wellbeing of the people of Bermuda.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Contact Information

Ministry of Health

Department of Health Department

Continental Building
25 Church Street
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda

(441) 278-4900

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