MORE than half of Bermuda's drivers continue to flout the law and drive without seat belts. And, according to Bermuda Road Safety Council estimates, a quarter of the population will never heed the new legislation, which enters its penalty phase on January 1.

"The reality is that certain people don't follow the laws of the land," said Council chairman Joseph Froncioni. "(No law sees participation) to 100 per cent. Canada has had a mandatory seat-belt law for years and it's not 100 per cent. What I hope, is that it goes to 75 per cent ? the same level as in other countries with a mandatory law."

As of January 1, 2004, front-seat occupants in cars, vans and trucks will have to belt up or face a maximum fine of $2,100 although owners of cars not manufactured with seat belts are not required to modify their vehicle.

In addition, parents and guardians could face fines if they do not ensure that passengers under the age of 18 use seat belts or the appropriate child restraint ? infants under a year old, or who weigh less than 20 pounds, should be restrained in the back seat in a rear facing child safety seat; children more than a year old should be restrained in a forward facing safety seat.

A child weighing more than 30 pounds can be placed onto a booster seat and secured with an adult seat belt, but care should be taken to ensure that the child is properly positioned. Failure to do so may result in a fine for each child not in compliance with the law.

"It is a milestone," said Dr. Froncioni of the impending phase of the legislation. "We're finally catching up to the rest of the developed world. We were one of the only countries not to have a law enforcing mandatory seat-belt use. Prior to the law, I'd say about five per cent of the population used seat belts, my last estimate put that at 45 per cent during this year's grace period."

The chairman stressed that the use of a seat belt would not necessarily save one's life in an accident, but was more instrumental in preventing those injuries which necessitate expensive medical care.

"I've said many times before that seat belts save approximately one life per year. What (their use) will prevent is an estimated 60 facial, neck and chest injuries sustained when people hit the dashboard or the steering wheel.

"It will save the millions of dollars in medical care that these things cost ? (injuries that) leave people permanently disabled; they suffer from cosmetic injuries to the face or neurological injury."

When the seat belt law was passed last year, Senators noted that in the 1970s the public had been just as reluctant to accept legislation requiring motorcyclists to wear crash helmets.