drive to cut down the death toll on Bermuda's highways.

Sen. Swan used yesterday's Motion to Adjourn in the Senate to push for new efforts to make Bermuda's roads safer.

And he urged new Transport Minister Ewart Brown to start the awareness month "as soon as possible''.

Sen. Swan's call for action came a day after Dr. Brown appointed Delcina Bean-Burrows as the new chairman of the Road Safety Council.

The Minister revealed one more road death would take the 1998 toll to 18 fatalities -- which he said would be the highest on record.

Sen. Swan, who fought for the United Bermuda Party in the St. George's North seat at the General Election, welcomed the appointment of Ms Bean-Burrows.

But he told fellow Senators yesterday that it was the responsibility of "every man, woman and child'' to make Bermuda's roads safer.

"Road safety is of paramount concern,'' he said. "The toll has reached 17 road deaths this year and we need a national focus on road safety.

"As soon as possible, we should have a road safety awareness month during which, quite possibly, we drive with our lights on and generate some dialogue around schools and throughout businesses.

"We cannot afford the loss of lives to continue at the current rate. There's so much traffic on the road and we need to be driving with even more respect than we have done in the past.

"I offer those remarks in the best interests of Bermuda and in the best interests of the national concern.'' Senators in the 11-seat chamber spoke of their sorrow at the deaths of 27-year-old Antoine Bean and 13-year-old Racquel Basden, who died following bike crashes last week.

There have also been three road deaths in the last five weeks.

Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes added: "It is an appalling situation.

"I ride a bike like many others and every day you ride that bike to get in in the morning, you wonder if it is the last trip.

"It's not just what you do but what others are doing. Overtaking on the inside is particularly dangerous.

"It's awfully distressing and it must be awful for tourists. I never recommend guests visiting our house should get on a bike and that must be something tourists are told by many friends: `Don't get on those bikes'.

"And that denies them a nice way of getting around. The whole thing is out of control.

"We have all got to take a more interested approach to this and give it a higher profile.'' Sen. Kim Swan Graphic file name: SWANK