Today’s Royal Gazette reports that 13 road deaths in 2006 rank Bermuda’s roads as the most dangerous in the western world. Bermuda’s death rate of 21 per 100,000 residents ranks well ahead of the US (15/100,000) and the UK (6/100,000). The paper blames widespread flouting of drink driving laws, a lack of speed cameras, no points system for driving offences, bad driving, poor policing and inefficient courts.
Delta Airlines will resume flights to Bermuda from New York’s LaGuardia airport next year, after ceasing the service earlier this year. The flights will operate daily from April 5 to September 2 2007, departing New York at 10.30 am and arriving in Bermuda at 1.45 pm. The return flight will leave Bermuda at 2.45 pm. The Bermuda Government will spend $300,000 marketing the route in the New York area.
Sea Express has launched a new ferry service. The Orange commuter route will leave St David’s at 7.15 am, arriving in St George at 7.30 am and Hamilton at 8.20 am. The return ferry will leave Hamilton at 5.20 pm, arriving in St George at 6.10 pm and St. David’s at 6.20 pm. During the summer the Orange route will continue to operate frequent services throughout the day between Hamilton and Royal Naval Dockyard.
New baggage regulations are now in place for passengers departing from any airport in the EU.
Hand Baggage - Passengers are allowed 1 item of hand baggage measuring a maximum of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm. Large musical instruments will be allowed as a second item of hand luggage.
Liquids - Passengers can only carry small quantities (maximum 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels and aerosols in their hand baggage. These containers must be carried in a resealable, clear plastic bag (1 per passenger) and be presented separately at security control. Exceptions will be made for baby formula and medication required during flights.
In the wake of increasing road accidents, the Bermuda Police Service has announced that they will be strictly enforcing the island’s 35 km/h speed limit. There is widespread belief on the island that anything under 50 km/h is tolerated.
The US government has delayed the passport requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative until January 1 2008 for land crossings at the Mexican and Canadian borders and for cruise passengers coming to the US from the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada or Bermuda. They amendment does not apply to those travelling by air, who are still required to have a passport from January 8 2007. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) believes the amendment doesn’t go far enough and has equated it to “a category 6 hurricane” in the Caribbean region.
Bermuda’s newest fast ferry was launched at Penno’s Wharf, St. George last night. The Warbaby Fox can travel at 33 knots and carry 350 passengers.
Tropical Storm Florence has been upgraded to hurricane status and is expected to hit Bermuda around 10 am tomorrow. The Bermuda Regiment has been mobilised and Bermuda International Airport closed last night.
The Bermuda Department of Tourism has released an impressive set of tourism statistics for the quarter-ended June 2006. The figures reveal 228,781 visitors to the island during the period, a 29% jump on the corresponding period in 2005. Bermuda International Airport received 9,000 more passengers while cruise visitors increased by almost 40,000.