New rules needed

January 4, 2006

Dear Sir,

It is customary in most countries for the majority of citizens to conform to the traffic rules and regulations. These regulations will vary from state to state in the US and from country to country. For example, in Massachusetts, one can turn right after stopping for a red light but this is not permitted in other states like New York. In Germany there are no speed limits on some of the autobahns. In England one can park in both directions on either side of the street.

I am beginning to think that we should begin to consider a whole new set of traffic rules for Bermuda. What we used to consider as “normal” is being replaced very quickly by new patterns of behaviour. I would therefore like to make the following suggestions for new updated traffic regulations.

1. Speed limits: Lorries towing payloaders and other heavy equipment, 30 mph. Buses and trucks, 35 mph. Cars, 45 mph. Taxis, especially if bound for airport, 50 mph. Cycles, unlimited speeds.

2. Horns: One honk for fellow taxi drivers. Two honks for friends. Three honks for tourists to show them that Bermudians are friendly. Note: Three honks might not last long as tourists are an endangered species.

3. Unlimited double parking for unloading, banking, shopping or having a friendly chat.

4. Give right of way to overtaking cars and especially overtaking motorcycles. This will allow overtaking cars to pass on corners (so be prepared to pull over). This will also force the overtaken cars to steer a straight line so cycles can pass simultaneously on both sides.

5. Remove mufflers from all bikes. They are no longer relevant. Experience shows that you can hear the bike from a long distance away and you are not therefore surprised when overtaken.

6. Grandfather all cyclists presently having a valid licence. However, introduce new driving tests to make certain future cyclists have the ability to drive on our roads. I suggest an obstacle course be set up that one has to negotiate at high speed, sitting side saddle with only one hand on the handle bars and one foot on the bike.

7. Eliminate all mid-road lines except the yellow lines on bends. This will mean that no one is on the wrong side of the road and they you have to give way to the larger vehicle (in sailing this is called the tonnage rule). Leave the yellow lines as they will serve as a warning that a car or cars may be parked there.

8. To safeguard tourists allow all rental agencies to be represented, Avis, Hertz, etc. (Give members of the House first crack for representation. One might remember that when cars were first introduced all car agencies had already been taken by ... guess who?) In as much as cruise passengers are here for such a short time the only agency that she be allowed to rent to them is “Rent a Wreck”.

9. In order not to go on too long I will summarise other suggestions.

Allow tinted windows, allowing no visual contact. A car seems now more sacred than a home and privacy should prevail. This is a free society why should there be extra size cars for privileged few? Take away all restrictions they don't mean much anyway.

Why should one be restricted to one car? There are many who have two and we all know who they are.

What about mobile campers? This would cut down on the housing shortage, and they could also be used for travel.

Use Camden as a multi-storey car park. This would take care of all of our needs, at least for a few months.

Allow cars to have any type of painting displayed which the owners desire. This will show that we are a creative society.

Allow additional coloured lights displayed along with their normal headlights. A great idea. Perhaps East End and West End could have distinguishing colours such as at Cup Match time.

Boom boxes in cars should be the in thing for all music lovers. Just today there was competition on Front Street between competing bands, one playing jazz and the other playing hip hop. Pedestrians were delighted.

I am sure many of your readers may have additional suggestions as well and if someone from the United States queries our special rules one might ask, “why do you drive on the wrong side of the road?”

WARREN BROWN

Smith's Parish

‘Generous support'

January 9, 2006

Dear Sir,

We would like to ask if - through your column - we could thank the community for the very generous support they have given once again to The Bermuda TB Cancer & Health Association's 2005 Christmas Seals campaign. This campaign is organised annually to raise funds for equipment that is on our Wish List. Our goal for 2005 was to raise sufficient funds to purchase a mammography positions chair - a much needed piece of equipment for use in our mammography screening facility for our elderly, frail or physically challenged patients.

Once again, with the unfailing support from our community partners, the pharmacies, the grocery stores, the general public, our trusted band of volunteers and the wonderful people who staff our Post Offices Island wide we have been very fortunate in raising a total of $10,569 - so today we placed our order for this much needed piece of equipment.

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone in Bermuda for making it possible for The Bermuda TB Cancer & Health Association to purchase this equipment for use in our Cancer Resource Centre - your ongoing support is key to our Association fulfilling the diagnostic and education services.

Please be assured that we will continue to show our gratitude for your generosity throughout the special care we provide every patient and every family, every day.

PAULINE GIRLING

Dedicated volunteers

January 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the generous contribution made by the Junior Service League (JSL) to patients at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

For the past 52 years, these dedicated volunteers have donated Christmas gift bags to patients in hospital over the holidays. In general, the JSL provides around 380 festive bags, making efforts to assure gifts are both age and gender appropriate. The bags include a variety of items, ranging from chocolates, toiletries, games, toys, disposal cameras, teas, perfume, phone cards, water, t-shirts, books, socks and pens.

Receiving these lovely wrapped and colourful gifts certainly brings comfort and cheer to patients who are hospitalised over the holidays. The JSL spends a great deal of time and energy providing hundreds of gifts to patients every year. Such efforts are exemplary and deserve praise.

We are grateful to the JSL for their commitment to helping others. They have certainly made a difference to our patients. It also means a great deal to our staff when members of the community assist at the hospitals. Many thanks to everyone at the Junior Service League for keeping a tradition going over the past five decades that truly reflects the spirit of the season.

DEBRA BYRD

Director of Volunteer Services

Bermuda Hospitals Board

Give him time

January 10, 2006

Dear Sir,

It seems as if we, here on our little rock, mostly agree on what must be done to improve things. What we fight about is how to go about getting it done. My way, or yours ... or yours ... or yours. Every way in turn, beginning with the person or body charged with actually getting it done, must be given adequate resources, time and support for that way to succeed or fail. Then move on to another way.

The previous way to get a handle on the proliferation of harmful substances on our little rock has had more than enough resources, time and support to have succeeded or failed. That way has failed and it is now time for a new way.

The Perinchief brothers are in absolute agreement that we have serious problems resulting from the abuse of harmful drugs - prescribed and otherwise. Their disagreement seems to be about the way the job gets done. At this point in time it is Wayne's job to decide the way and to get it done. While I would not agree that his way should last as lone as the previous way, I think it deserves a wee bit more time than a couple of weeks. If Wayne has to fight with everybody trying to make him do it their way he's not going to have time to do it his way and he was put in the position to do it because it is believed that he has a way that might just work. Give him time; let's wait and see.

AL EASTWOOD

Devonshire

Well-deserved recognition

January 12, 2006

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your coverage of the National Honor Society induction ceremony at CedarBridge Academy and congratulations to the 45 students who have been elected to the Society.

They are well-deserving of recognition for this distinction based on their outstanding achievements in scholarship, service, leadership and character.

The National Honor Society was established in the United States in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and has more than 12,500 chapters throughout the world. The Elizabeth Seton chapter of the National Honor Society was established 24 years ago with its first induction ceremony being held on May 22, 1982. We applaud CedarBridge Academy on obtaining its membership charter in this prestigious organisation and in joining the long-standing tradition of celebrating the excellence of our students and their contribution to our community.

CHRISTINE ELDRIGE