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Get tough for road safety sake, says NLP's Jeffers

A clampdown on riders who do not strap up their helmets should be launched, National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers said yesterday.

And he called for a Police campaign leaflet blitz to promote safe driving and riding -- especially the need to use helmet straps.

Mr. Jeffers said: "There seems to be a total disregard by some cyclists of laws that already exist.

"A dangerous trend has been allowed to develop. Every day we see people riding with their helmet straps either unfastened or loose. We believe this may be a contributing factor to the number of head injuries to riders.'' Mr. Jeffers said his party backed moves by Transport Minister Ewart Brown to make the wearing of seatbelts compulsory -- which he said the NLP had called for months ago.

And he praised the Bermuda Road Safety Council and the Bermuda Medical Association for their work in highlighting road safety problems.

But he said it was time Government insisted on compulsory use of child safety seats in cars.

Mr. Jeffers added: "There should be a Police public relations campaign that would see officers handing out brochures on the streets and in schools.

"The brochures should include pictures of the proper way to wear safety helmets, safe riding and driving tips and points on relevant traffic laws.

"The brochure should also feature reminders to drivers about their responsibility to ensure the safety of young children riding in their vehicles.

"Children standing on the seats, riding with their heads or other parts of their bodies out of the windows or sitting on the edge of the front seat with their heads close to the dashboard are issues which require attention.'' And Mr. Jeffers said: "It's our opinion that this PR campaign would be a good step in making road users safety-conscious.'' Yesterday a Police spokeswoman said the force already had a National Traffic Coordinator, who held regular meetings with the Road Safety Council to draw up plans to cut down on the grim toll of death and injury on the roads.

But she added the Service's manpower shortage ruled out a leaflet campaign using already-stressed beat officers.

However, the spokeswoman said in addition to the regular watches, Police had a traffic department and cycle squad who made road safety a priority.

"There is more which could be done and again -- between the National Traffic Coordinator and the Road Safety Council -- we will be addressing such issues,'' she said.

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