Tough new laws stripping licences from drivers who refuse to pay traffic fines have been rubber-stamped in the Senate.

The Upper House yesterday unanimously approved two bills that Government said would send a tough message to highway offenders ? and it hopes will bring millions of dollars of unpaid fines flooding into its coffers. And plans to stop debt-laden defendants leaving the Island at the airport have been revealed.

Under the legislation, motorcyclists, drivers and truckers will not be able to renew the licences on their vehicles if they have outstanding court fees. This will apply retroactively to fines issued before the new law comes into force.

Sen. Walter Roban, of the Progressive Labour Party, said the amount of unpaid road fines was estimated to run into millions of dollars. Failure to pay was a ?blatant contempt of court? and he added: ?This will hit at the heart of those that defy the law.?

Sen. Bob Richards, of the United Bermuda Party, questioned how the law would work on a day-to-day basis.

He described Magistrates? Court as an ?incredibly chaotic place? and raised concerns about arrears information being transferred between the court and the Transport Control Department in a ?timely fashion?.

He accepted that a lot of money had been spent improving information technology at TCD and that the department was now better run than in previous years. But he said that TCD was in the 21st Century, while Magistrates? Court was still in the 19th Century. In response, Attorney General Larry Mussenden leapt to the defence of the ?people-friendly? court and invited Sen. Richards to attend. ?It?s a lovely and wonderful place to be able to work in,? added Sen. Mussenden, denying it was chaotic.

He said recent changes included, a new security system, the court opening at lunchtime to accept fine payments, and defendants now being able to clear debts by credit card.

Sen Mussenden said Government was planning to launch an on-line parking ticket payment system, so motorists could pay by computer within 24 hours of getting caught. And he played down concerns about the speedy transfer of information between TCD and the court and said Government computer system links were good.

Sen. Mussenden also said Government was working on the idea of putting a fine machine in the airport terminal, so that travellers who owe the Government money ? through road fines or payroll and social security taxes ? would be prevented from boarding planes.

Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes backed legislation that ensured fines were collected quicker. But he also raised questions about joined-up computer systems at TCD and said that truck licence renewals still needed a letter from tax officials stating no payroll tax was owed.

Sen. Roban said a hi-tech link-up between TCD and the Tax Commissioner was in the pipeline. Sen. Kim Swan, UBP, also welcomed the new laws. But, pointing to the over budget Berkeley school project, he said he wanted to see ?Government prudence? across the board.

Opposition Senator Gina Spence Farmer, sitting in the Upper House for the first time since she quit her job at Bermuda College, asked what would be done to educate young road users about the implications of the new laws. Sen. Roban replied that the legislation would not come into force immediately and before it did there would be time for a press campaign.

Sen Raymond Tannock, PLP, said the clampdown was mainly targeting the defendants who asked for extra time to pay court fines ? then missed deadlines.

Senate President Alf Oughton asked if drivers with outstanding fines would be able to dodge fines by selling their vehicle. But Senators were assured the fine would be tied to the person and not the vehicle, and bills could not be transferred to relatives.

Both the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act 2005 and The Motor Car Amendment (No. 3) Act 2005 were passed yesterday after third readings.