The hundreds of people who have died as a result of road crashes will be remembered as part of Road Safety Week.

The week, which starts today, will feature road training and education and Bermuda’s road fatalities will be remembered on the last day.

Dennis Lister III, chairman of the Bermuda Road Safety Council, said: “We want to invite families and friends of those we have lost to come out.

“We will be lighting candles to remember them, having a moment of silence and a prayer. We will have signs for each year listing the names.”

The BRSC and the Transport Control Department’s road safety office joined forces to make the UN Global Road Safety Week from today to Friday under the theme “Taking the Lead on Road Safety”.

Road Safety Week will be launched on the lawn of City Hall in Hamilton at 1pm with speeches from Mr Lister and Zane DeSilva, the transport minister.

Representatives of The Royal Gazette’s Drive for Change campaign, anti-substance abuse charity Cada, Benji’s Driving School and motorbike safety training scheme Project Ride will also be at the event.

Rachael Robinson, the road safety officer, will tour schools with members of the BRSC and a representative of Rubis Energy Bermuda to discuss road safety on Tuesday.

Projects will range from art programmes at primary school level to discussions on traffic law in more senior schools.

They will also promote their Draw 4 Change road safety school art competition.

Police officers and EMTs will join the Bermuda Water Safety Council to highlight water safety at Harbour Night on Front Street on Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm. A “Remembering the Angels” event at City Hall will be held next Friday from noon to 2pm in memory of victims of crashes.

Mr Lister said: “Each day there will be different exhibits and booths to help educate the public and change culture.

“For example, on Monday Benji’s Driving School will be giving some basic driving instructions to members of the public.

“We invited Cada because we want people to be responsible when drinking by using a designated driver, getting a cab or a bus or Cada’s free taxi service.

“Traffic officers will be educating the public on traffic infractions and Drive for Change will be highlighting its campaign and work with A Piece of the Rock lobbying for speed control and more robust road training.

Mr Lister added: “The campaign has had a big impact on the driving culture in Bermuda.

“We want to go into the schools because the earlier the better. Children grow up seeing bad behaviour from young and we want to counteract that.

“The theme of the week is Taking the Lead so we are asking all business leaders, sport leaders, political leaders to not only be a leaders in their field but to be leaders in road safety.

“It is important that as many people, young and old, come out so that everyone can be educated and be aware on road safety in Bermuda and learn how they can do their part.”

The Road Safety Week tagline is: “Be a piece of the puzzle to be part of the solution.”

Ms Robinson added: “We are reminded that it takes a community to promote and encourage best practices on our roads.

“Let’s move forward together by supporting each other, curtailing bad practices and educating.”