Bermuda's Transport Control Department (TCD) is stepping up its efforts to get more people carrying driving licences bearing the organ donor symbol.

TCD Director Kevin Monkman said among his priorities was improving awareness of the importance of organ donation among his staff and customers.

And as a start, members of the Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Council are spending today at TCD talking to staff about the importance of donation.

They will then spend the afternoon supporting those TCD workers who make up new driving licences and whose job it is to ask motorists if they wish to be a donor and have the symbol on their card.

The council wants to ensure that all workers feel comfortable talking to the public about donation.

Mr. Monkman said: "Organ donation promotion is something I want to see TCD become more actively involved in.

"In most jurisdictions your organ donor status is on your driving licence, but right now, I don't think we do enough within this Department.

"This year, I want to have it as one of our programmes - to have our staff made more aware of organ donation so we can be better informed.

"We would certainly like to work more closely with the council and do anything we can to increase the number of people who are happy to be organ donors."

At the moment, TCD has no statistics on how many drivers have volunteered to have the organ donor symbol placed on their licence since it was introduced a couple of years ago.

However, Mr. Monkman said he was looking at maybe changing the driver's licence, later this year, to a digital system as used in the US.

If that happens, the computer will automatically keep data of how many people have volunteered as donors, in comparison to those who have not.

The Director said he hoped the new system could be introduced during this financial year.

But Mr. Monkman said those who have not volunteered to be an organ donor on their driver's licence and have now changed their mind, need not worry.

People can pick up donor cards from Post Offices, doctor's surgeries and TCD. Each card contains a small peel off sticker, which can be attached to a driving licence. The remainder of the card can be placed in a wallet and purse.

Once people have decided to carry a donor card, they must then inform their next of kin of their wishes.

Intensive Care Unit nurse Glenda Daniels, who is chairman of the donor council which was launched last month, said two members of TCD were members of the council.

She said: "From only a couple of years ago, people who received a new driving licence could have their donor status put on their card. We would like to see a time when everyone who gets a licence agrees to be a donor.

"We are going to TCD to explain to staff why it's so important that they ask everyone who has been coming in for a licence, and to make sure they feel comfortable asking people. Not everyone does."