Forty-four people died in traffic accidents last year, according to statistics from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).
The majority of these victims, 41 of them, were male while three were female, the data shows.
Half of last year's traffic deaths occurred on New Providence. Ten people were killed in traffic accidents on Grand Bahama and 12 died in accidents on the Family Islands.
The numbers revealed that of the people who were killed in accidents last year, 16 were drivers; nine passengers; 12 pedestrians, six motorcyclists/riders, and one was a bicyclist. In his 2012 policing crime plan, Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said the RBPF will try to lower traffic deaths by targeting speeding motorists, drunk drivers and people who do not wear seatbelts.
At least 276 people were killed in traffic accidents during the past six years, police have said.
Although there has been little research done into the causes of these traffic deaths, officials believe alcohol and drugs play a major role.
According to the statistics released earlier this week, traffic police investigated 10,563 accidents last year.
Most of these accidents -- 7,493 -- fell into the category of damage, while the category of minor injuries followed a distant second with 1,915 incidents reported.
The data also revealed 957 reported hit and run incidents; 92 serious injuries and damage to 62 police units last year.
Police issued 20,190 traffic tickets and 3,181 traffic offense reports last year.
Greenslade has also vowed to crack down on minor traffic offenses.
People with cars with heavily tinted windows and windshields will come under greater scrutiny by police, he indicated.
The police chief added that the RBPF will target and arrest underage, unlicensed drivers and the car owners who enable them.
"We have listened to the complaints by well-meaning residents and citizens of the country who decry the lawlessness seen on our streets by motorists and other road users. We have also noted the blatant disregard for traffic signals, road signs, traffic laws and general rules intended to facilitate traffic safety," said Greenslade in his 2012 crime plan.
"Added to this level of lawlessness is an emerging propensity for road rage and disputes arising from a lack of courtesy among road users," Greenslade said.

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