An Act to allow larger cars on the road was approved by The House of Assembly last night.

The Motor Car Amendment Act allows the increase in the dimensions of private cars, private light trucks, light trucks and intermediate trucks as well as creates a new class of car.

Acting Transport Minister Michael Scott said that the maximum length of private light trucks and light trucks would be increased from 169 inches to 175 inches. The maximum width of these trucks will be increased from 67 inches to 71 inches and the maximum weight or the gross vehicle weight, of light trucks is being increased from 5,500 pounds to 7,000 pounds.

The maximum length of intermediate trucks will be increased from 180 inches long to 190 inches. The maximum width will be increased from 71 inches to 74 inches, and the gross vehicle weight will be increased from 9,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds.

Private cars are being increased in length and width by the same amount as light trucks. In addition, the maximum engine capacity of private cars will be increased from two litres to 2.5 litres. However, the power to weight ratio for private cars will remain at 10.5 kilograms per kilowatt. This will ensure, that even though private cars may be somewhat larger, they will not be more powerful in relation to their weight, said Mr. Scott.

The new class of car will be longer than 169 inches but no more than 175 inches and will have an annual licence fee of $1,365.10.

Mr. Scott said: "The dimensions of vehicles were last increased 14 years ago in 1990."

He added: "Since 1990, the sizes of many of the private car models imported by local motor car dealers have been increased by the manufacturers as the result of design changes or the incorporation of safety features such as air bags and crumple zones."

Mr. Scott told the House parents who have several children have raised concerns that, given the current stock of private cars, they will have great difficulty complying with the seat belt requirements. "Their concern is that there are no private car models available which will accommodate two adults and three or four children in car seats."

Shadow Minister of Youth and Sport, John Brunson, expressed concerns about the increase in the size of cars regarding public safety. He mentioned previous legislation passed including wearing helmets and seat belts and said: "With an increase in car size are we being safe?"

He said that the six inch increase was a lot and did not bode well for those that ran and walked on Bermuda's roads.

Shadow Minister of Works and Engineering, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, said that an increase in car size may cause more accidents and therefore hike up insurance rates.