Bermuda's drivers should belt up to cut down the grim toll of death and injury on the Island's roads.

National Liberal Party leader Charles Jeffers said yesterday it was time for Government to consider passing laws to make seatbelt wearing compulsory.

The call was backed by the Police -- also keen to halt the mounting carnage on the roads.

Mr. Jeffers said: "The NLP is alarmed at the number of avoidable injuries which are occurring on our roads.

"We are strong advocates of any steps that would result in an improvement of driving and riding standards.'' Mr. Jeffers said several recent car accidents which caused serious injury or death may have been lessened or prevented if seat belts had been worn.

NLP leader in call for mandatory seat belts He added the Island's unique speed limit made it a prime candidate for seatbelt use.

Mr. Jeffers said: "Seat belts, like safety helmets, are more effective in Bermuda than in most other countries because of our relatively slow speed limits.'' And he said the Road Safety Council should mount a four-pronged campaign to encourage drivers and passengers to use their seatbelts.

He said the Council ought to: Encourage the use of vehicle seatbelts; Educate drivers about the potential danger of children standing on the front seats of moving vehicles; Remind riders and passengers on bikes to wear helmets correctly; and Work with the Police Service to enforce obedience of traffic laws.

Mr. Jeffers' views were backed by the Police Service -- which insists Police drivers use their seatbelts.

Police spokesman Sgt. Gary Venning said: "Any devices or initiatives which will help to save lives and reduce injuries and accidents is obviously welcomed by the Police.'' Compulsory seatbelt wearing -- both front and rear -- has been the law in Britain for years and in most states of the US.

Australia also insists on the use of front and rear seat belts, while Canada requires drivers and front passengers to belt, but only children have to wear belts in the rear seats.

Neither Transport Minister Ewart Brown or Road Safety Council chief Delcina Bean Burrows could be contacted for comment yesterday.

Sybil Belboda, 71, became the 18th road fatality of 1998 when she died in hospital on Sunday.

Mrs. Belboda -- a front seat passenger in a taxi -- suffered serious head injuries after the cab ploughed into a lamp post on Middle Road, Warwick, on December 28 last year.

The 42-year-old taxi driver was later arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.

Mrs. Belboda's death -- classed as a 1998 fatality -- brought the number of dead on the Island's road for the year to 18 -- exceeding the total of 17 in 1983, the highest since crash helmets were introduced in the 1970s.

Charles Jeffers Graphic file name: JEFFER POLITICS PTL