The Ministry of Transport tabled new regulations setting out how seat belt legislation would work in the House of Assembly, yesterday.

Last year a law was passed making seat belts mandatory but it due to come into affect in March.

The regulations, due to be debated by the House of Assembly soon, say seatbelts must be worn in the front seats but exemptions are possible for delivery drivers, emergency service workers, mechanics and people in parades.

Government also tabled the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, yesterday. The bill will allow the Transport minister to declare an exclusion zone around ships which pose a threat.

The bill will consolidate other pieces of maritime legislation and will also allow Bermuda ships to fly the Bermuda flag instead of the British one said Department of Maritime Administration Chief Surveyor Duncan Currie.