Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley has warned that new "buckle up'' seat belt laws may not save lives.

Plans to make car drivers and front-seat passengers strap themselves in have been revealed by Transport Minister Ewart Brown. He said the new laws would be in place by 2002.

But former Minister Mr. Adderley claims seat belts should only be the third safety priority -- behind cutting speeds and stopping drink-driving.

He said seat belt laws would not be needed if drivers stuck to Bermuda's 35 kph speed limit.

"For those who are speeding and exceeding the speed limit by excessive amounts, seat belts will save lives,'' he said.

"But if people are going to speed so badly, there's no guarantee they will wear seat belts.

"And I don't think wearing seat belts will necessarily help those who do not speed.'' But Mr. Adderley still praised Government for planning the new law, claiming it would represent a psychological boost to driving death off our highways.

He added: "Even if it's not going to save lives, psychologically I think we want to encourage more people to comply with safety rules.

"Getting people to put safety first can only be a good thing. But I'm not banking on it producing dramatic results in terms of the number of deaths on our roads.

"What will do that is people abiding by the rules of the highway. The consistent elements in the majority of fatal accidents are speeding and alcohol.

"They should be our two main priorities.'' Dr. Brown told The Royal Gazette on Monday that Bermuda could expect the new seat belt laws before the next election.

The buckle-up laws will bring Bermuda in line with the UK, Canada, Australia and many US states.

The Minister added: "It will be just like it's happened in other jurisdictions.

"First there was encouragement, then there was a national debate, then it became law.

"There is now a progression towards recommending it. I do believe that it won't be too far off when seat belts will become compulsory in Bermuda but first we must get drivers accustomed to the idea.

"It is something which has never been officially encouraged thus far. But with regard to passing the law, it should be done within this term of Government.'' Fisherman Henry Corea became the first person to die on Bermuda's roads this year when he was involved in an accident on Sunday.

The Road Safety Council kicked off Road Safety Week the next day, unveiling a ten-point safety strategy.

And people will be asked to volunteer to become safe roads co-ordinators, organising designated driver clubs in businesses and schools, parishes and neighbourhoods.

Erwin Adderley