as a major step towards making Bermuda's roads safer.

In the Throne Speech yesterday, Government said legislation will be introduced strengthening the law against drinking and driving.

Roadside breath testing could also be set up and drivers convicted of driving while impaired will face mandatory counselling.

Last night, Road Safety Council chairman George Morton Jr. welcomed the initiatives, saying: "We have got into an appalling state and the only way we can bring things back to respectable standards is through law and order and stringent rules and regulations.'' The new legislation will mean an automatic ban from the roads -- at present a ban is discretionary.

Police also currently breath test suspected drink drivers at Police stations but they could soon be equipped with hand-held testing machines for road-sides tests.

If a person is convicted of impaired driving they will be sent for counselling sessions to bring home the effect their actions could have.

As well as the new legislation, Government is to introduce a Green Paper to discuss ways of clamping down on bad behaviour on the roads and to improve traffic conditions.

Yesterday Transport Minister Wayne Furbert there were a range of issues which could be discussed, including: A graduated licence where a 16-year-old newly qualified motorbike rider would effectively have to qualify for a full licence; A points system for first-time riders where any offences could put qualification for a full licence further off; Traffic control measures such as speed bumps, uneven road surfaces using materials such as bricks where an area allows it, roundabouts and possibly cameras; and Spot checks for unlicenced or unsafe vehicles.

Other potential initiatives include a park and ferry trip into town, limiting the number of cars allowed into Hamilton and taking motorbikes away from offenders for a period of time.

"We are looking at sending drivers found guilty of impaired driving to counselling to make them realise the impact their actions could have,'' said Mr. Furbert. "It is a pressing issue in Bermuda. The Green Paper will not make this session, but hopefully in the following session in February.'' Mr. Morton added that he realised attitudes would not change overnight and that it would take time for proposals to be put into place.

"We might be looking at a five to ten year plan, but we hope there will be some drastic improvements.

"The discussions and possibly future developments can only enhance people's behaviour on the roads.'' Last night Shadow Transport Minister Dennis Lister said increasing penalties was not always the answer to a problem and did not address the real cause.

However he backed the mandatory roads ban and counselling saying it was a step in the right direction.