Wearing seatbelts could be law by the end of the year after Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown announced he plans to bring the matter to the House of Assembly in the next session.

Dr. Brown said work on the legislation is in progress and that he plans to table it in Parliament during the first or second sitting.

`'I'm excited. There is overwhelming approval of the idea. A recent survey showed more than 80 percent of Bermudians thought it was a good idea.''

Dr. Brown explained that motorists will be given a grace period of at least a year to get used to the belts.

He said some of those who are against the law believed seat belts are only useful when travelling at high speeds.

`'Studies have shown there are many factors other than speed that require seat belts.''

`'Minister Alex Scott's accident is a prime example of what a seatbelt can do for you at even slow speeds.''

And Dr. Edward Shultz of the Emergency Department at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital said he also feels that wearing seatbelts is important regardless of the speed.

`'Even at relatively low speeds serious head and neck injuries can occur if a person is not restrained,'' he said.

Dr. Shultz explained that if a vehicle being driven at 20 miles per hour hits another vehicle head-on, the impact happens at least 40 miles an hour, which he said is a `'significant speed''.

Dr. Shultz also feels that other road safety measures must be considered by motorists and parents.

`'I also believe in child restraint devices and feel that when children are on push bikes they should wear helmets.''