total bans because Magistrates overlooked new laws.

But senior officers said they could only pursue cases against two offenders -- because they had run out of time to launch more appeals.

Insp. Kenrick James, head of Police Prosecutions, said officers had already acted to start appeals before there were calls from the Road Safety Council.

The Council said it wanted an inquiry into why some drivers were still allowed on the road, despite being caught over the limit.

Amendments to the Road Traffic Act, introduced in January, ordered blanket bans for drunk-drivers.

But magistrates continued banning some defendants from individual vehicle classes -- like 50cc bikes -- until copies of the amendment arrived in court at the beginning of this month.

Insp. James told The Royal Gazette : "We have appealed those cases that have come to light but we have only been able to find two of them.

"We sent notices to the Attorney General's Chambers when we learned that there had been a delay in implementing the new law.

"But we believe there are only a few cases where there was a ban which did not apply to all vehicles. After all, there would have had to be very strong mitigating circumstances.'' He said appeals had to be lodged within ten days of the original court case, so any other offenders could no longer be pursued.

"Administratively, it is now too late to do any more,'' added Insp. James.

"But the Road Safety Council should know that there concerns are being taken seriously.'' Attorney General Elliot Mottley hinted that defendants could find themselves back in court if Police asked for appeals on a case-by-case basis.

He said: "It's not out of the question that their punishments could be changed. But that would be a matter for the Police to appeal individual cases.'' Road Safety Council chairman George Morton Jr. said plans were already being laid for a new, comprehensive traffic campaign.

Bermuda's roads have claimed four lives in traffic accidents already this year.

Mr. Morton added: "One thing we're very worried about is allowing a lot of these people to stay on the roads.

"We are now looking into why many of them were only banned from certain vehicle classes.

"And although we are relying on the natural processes, the Transport Minister has said he will investigate this too.'' He said the Council was also pushing for a new Road Safety Officer, following the resignation of Delcina Bean Burrows last autumn.

And Mr. Morton said the new traffic safety campaign could include tighter laws, more public speaking and an intense media awareness campaign.