dealers into overdrive -- for they say their customers are unlikely to be affected.

This week, it was announced Japanese and American car makers had agreed to fix or replace faulty seat belts in more than eight million vehicles sold in the United States.

But Bermuda's Transport Minister, the Hon. Maxwell Burgess, saw no reason for alarm, pointing out the Island had no laws requiring seat belts.

The US Transportation Department's recall plans relate to Japanese-made seat belts on millions of cars sold from 1986 through 1991.

Regulators have acted following concerns the buckles sometimes fail to latch or unlatch.

At least 62 injuries -- but no deaths -- have been reported from accidents where the belts were used.