A bill banning the import of death-trap cars modified to get around size restrictions was passed with all-party support yesterday.

The Motor Car Amendment (Number Four) Bill 2006 will bar vehicles which have had anything removed which was originally there when first made.

Introducing the bill Premier Ewart Brown, who is also the Transport Minister, said despite an increase in allowable car dimensions brought in three years ago people were importing modified cars with bumpers that had been tampered with.

?In August 2005 TCD became aware of local dealers proposed to import a number of such vehicles for sale.?

Drivers were risking serious injury or even death in such vehicles said Dr. Brown by running vehicles with modified safety features.

And cars imported in contravention of the new rule are liable for forfeiture.

Opposition leader Wayne Furbert gave the bill his support and said he had owned a modified Subaru which had crumpled up when it smashed into the back of another car.

Opposition House leader John Barritt questioned how the the blanket ban on oversize vehicles would affect the importation of oversizes cars and modified vehicles such as those already here for Government Ministers and the disabled.