As Bermuda mourns the loss of yet another teenager this week after a motorcycle crash, the Road Safety Council continues calls for a point-based licensing system to stamp out road rage and dangerous driving.

Recent statistics show a ten percent jump in the number of road traffic accidents on the Island?s roads and the Road Safety Council has urged Government to adopt a demerit point licensing system similar to those used in Canada and the United States. While Police have pledged to be more vigilant, Road Safety Council Chairman Dr. Joseph Froncioni told that the demerit system encourages better driving as it can result in the loss of a drivers license.

Statistics provided by the Bermuda Police service between January and June of this year show there were 1482 road traffic collisions, compared to 1341 for the similar period of 2003.

On Monday, 14-year-old Andre (AJ) Wilson died after suffering from serious injuries as a result of a bike accident on private property in Knapton Hill, Smiths. Also this week 26-year-old Renato Domingos underwent major surgery to have his foot stitched back on after his bike slammed into the back of a car.

Dr. Froncioni said the council has put together a proposal for review by the Transport Ministry.

In Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Transport uses a system where a driver begins with zero demerit points, but accumulates points for convictions such as speeding, drunk driving or running traffic lights.

The demerit points stay on a driver?s record for two years. If a person collect enough points, they lose their driver?s licence.

Dr. Froncioni said the aim of the system is to improve driving habits and enforce additional penalties to those already imposed under the law, particularly since monetary fines do not help to improve driving standards.

?As we?ve always said, people are in more of a rush, there?s more of a trend towards urbanisation, there?s more road rage and disregard for the law than we used to have,? said Dr. Froncioni.

Police are concerned about the number of serious traffic collisions in recent weeks, said Police spokesman Dwayne Caines yesterday.

He said the Traffic Unit is stepping up its vigilance on the road and people can expect to be ticketed more often for a number of offences, including disobeying stop signs, driving a cycle between two lanes of traffic, and driving without a helmet properly fastened.

?We?ll do our part to ensure we step up enforcement but there has to be a mind set switch to where safety becomes paramount and people are interested in safety as opposed to getting somewhere early,? said Mr. Caines.

Dr. Froncioni said motorists in Bermuda continue to disregard the speed limit but he thinks the demerit system could make a contribution to reducing the number of road accidents.

?This model is based on the assumption of importance of a license to an individual who will modify their behaviour accordingly,? he said.

He said insurance companies have also responded favourably to the idea and a good driving record demonstrated through the point system may help to give safe drivers a break.

?We think it will be effective, as it works in other countries.?

Transport Control Department Director Kevin Monkman said consideration of the point licensing system is part of Government?s plan to improve driving and educate the public about safe-driving practices.

Road statistics also show that between January and June, 2004 there have been two fatal road collisions and 502 collisions which have resulted in injury. There have been 991 local females involved in accidents compared to 1,558 men.