There has been discussion of new legislation that Government may pass which will introduce a Graduated Licensing System. This scheme includes night-time curfews and stricter policies which the younger motorists will be required to adhere to.

This system will mean that new riders aged 16 to 18 must start with provisional licenses while they learn how to ride completely (under instruction) before progressing to a full license. Only after they have completed tests including knowledge and on-road skills tests, will riders be awarded a full license.

Some policies include:

¦ Banned from roads between 11pm and 5am.

¦ Banned from carrying pillion passengers

¦ Subject to zero alcohol or drug tolerance

¦ Made to complete the road skills training implemented into Project Ride

Students from around the Island who will be affected by this new legislation were asked their opinions.

Alyssa Rose (Bermuda High School for Girls, 16 years)

As a rider on our roads I have firsthand experience of how others drive and ride. For the past six months, since I began riding, I have become disgusted and annoyed with the poor driving habits and poor ability of many riders and drivers. It seems as if anybody can obtain a license which is the trigger to the issue of road deaths. If we are able to prevent those who are lacking in appropriate driving behaviors entering our roads, then we are decreasing the risk of accidents and deaths. How can we do this? Well, a method which has been introduced in quite a few states in the USA has been effective in decreasing road accidents by 30%. This law is called The Graduated Driving Licensing System. It is a three stage system in which young drivers must past each stage before advancing to the next. Each stage is equipped with the necessary events which can occur on the roads and fully prepares you for driving or riding. The course is a challenge and more time-consuming than Bermuda's current course. However a few extra minutes for fewer deaths seems like a deal to me! Aside from being time-consuming, one downfall would be that it would likely be more expensive seeing as the testers will have to be trained and necessary courses built for the system. This is only a small price to pay in order to save lives.

Chyone Harris (Berkeley Institute, 16 years)

I personally disagree with the law being changed. The reason is that so many teens who are 15yrs or younger have their minds set on getting their bikes at the age 16. It is an opportunity so many long to have when they reach that age. If the law changes so many peoeple who have been waiting to get their bikes would be extremely heartbroken, knowing that this coming of age privlege has gone down the drain.

Domonic Roberts (Graduate of Vision Academy, 18 years)

I agree and disagree with this new law. It is true that when teens turn 16 they are reckless but it is also true that there are older, more experienced people on the road that are just as reckless. Therefore, younger people shouldn't have to take the fault for everyone with stricter rules. Maybe older people should be made to re-new their licenses as well if Government is going to make this new law for teens. If the law is going to be introduced, then there should be two sides to it, for younger and older motorists.

Christian Fiddick (Warwick Academy, 17 years)

I think that the root of the problem may not be addressed by this law. 'Knowing how to ride' and being 'old enough' doesn't necessarily imply 'riding safely'. That's not to say that I oppose stricter regulations; anything that emphasizes the need for more maturity is a good thing (perhaps this proposed law is not strict enough!). From what I see on the road, the main problem isn't the newly-licensed 16 year old teens... It seems that this law would more or less protect them from the REAL problem. That doesn't solve much.

Shauntae Trott (Berkeley Institute, 17 years)

In my opinion, the whole process is unnecessary. If we look at the road fatalities that occurred in 2008 we will see that less than a quarter of the victims were between the ages of 16 and 21. I'm not saying that all young riders and drivers are cautious, but we also need to focus on the people who have had their licenses for a longer period of time. Some of these people have become more relaxed, and less cautious. They rely on their skill and experience on the road to get them from place to place safely. Graduated licensing will only help to decrease the minority group of future fatalities. The bigger picture needs to be addressed, there are other solutions to this problem than taking away the privilege that come with the ages 16 - 18.

Alexis Bean (Warwick Academy, 17 years)

I think it is 'nice' idea to promote safety if that is the goal for this new legislation. But it is not going to decrease road fatalities. Accidents with people between the ages of 16-18 most times happen during the day. It is the older motorists who have been drinking who are involved in accidents during the night, so I think the curfew is unnecessary. But I do agree with different levels being introduced to project ride so that riders get more practice before they enter the roads.

Rikkai Scott (Cedar Bridge Academy, 18 years)

I think that this new law will have benefits such as reduced accidents for these younger people. Parents will know their children are safe between these hours because they will be home because of the curfew, and teens will be safe from drunk drivers that lurk between the hours of 11pm and 5 am. While this will be beneficial for younger riders, I also believe that they are not the only problems that Bermuda's roads have. Lately the people involved in accidents are middle aged. I think that Government should consider these motorists as well and possibly introduce a law that targets the drivers in this demographic.