Transport Minister Wayne Furbert is looking at increasing fines for speeders.

Expressing grave concern that more motorists were becoming reckless on Bermuda's narrow roads, Mr. Furbert told The Royal Gazette special measures had to be taken before more lives were lost and the Island's peaceful image was destroyed.

"As Minister, I am very concerned when I see auxiliary bikes travelling at excessive speeds, darting in and out of traffic and overtaking carelessly,'' he said.

"Summer is here. We have lots of visitors to the Island, our students are out of school for summer vacations and there is a good amount of extra travel on the roads during the summer months.'' Mr. Furbert noted that a system had been introduced in 1992 which allowed fixed fines of $100 and $150 to be imposed on those caught travelling up to 50 kph and 54 kph, respectively.

But he said: "These fines may no longer be seen as a strong deterrent to speeding.

"With the $100 fine people could be saying I'm willing to take the chance, recognising that the presence of Police traffic officers is not really there.

They may notice the decrease and feel that there is less of a chance of getting caught.

"With Bermuda being so affluent, $100 may no longer be a deterrent.'' Noting that drivers' behaviour was becoming "unbelievable'', Mr. Furbert said: "Higher fixed fines may be necessary in order to change driving behaviours.'' The Minister, who planned to meet with Police Commissioner Colin Coxall about his concerns, said he believed that a greater Police presence and radar warning signs would also help to combat the situation.

"I take on the Editor's view that we may have to have a special section of Police officers on patrol on the streets,'' Mr. Furbert said.

"We're doing a terrific job about crime, but we cannot slacken up on what is being done on the roads. We have to get back some sanity on the roads.

"If not, we're going to lose the peacefulness of this Island. Tourists and locals will be afraid to walk on the roads.'' While noting that many road users were travelling in excess of the 35 kph speed limit, Mr. Furbert said he did not believe that lowering the speed limit would deter speeders without the presence of Police officers.

"We need about half a dozen officers visible in different locations around the Island and we should have signs warning people about what will happen, if they are caught speeding,'' he said.

However, Mr. Furbert stressed that he did not believe that Police officers should be hiding "in trees to catch people''.

"We're not trying to make money,'' he said. "We're trying to change behaviour patterns.'' Mr. Furbert added that he "wholeheartedly'' endorsed Mr. Coxall's plan to implement traffic surveillance cameras.

"This project may greatly encourage motorists to observe safer speeds,'' he said.

Both the Police and the Corporation of Hamilton have expressed interest in having closed-circuit television cameras installed in Bermuda.

They are currently reviewing a report recently produced by UK-based consultants Symonds Travers Morgan who have designed closed-circuit television for several cities, including London.

And while the report mainly focussed on using the devices to reduce crimes such as robberies, bag snatchings, cycle thefts, and assaults, Corporation secretary Roger Sherratt said the cameras can also be used for the traffic situation.

Mr. Sherratt said both Government and the Corporation were studying the feasibility of the device.