driving licences.

The Hon. Sir James Astwood said Police should be able to arrest or detain defaulters -- until they produced their licence.

The move should stop motorists giving false personal details to Police, he added.

It is an offence for a motorist not to produce a licence -- but he has a statutory defence if he does so at a Police station within 24 hours.

Sir James made his call while upholding the Supreme Court appeal by Mr. Kent Douglas Gary Dill against the acquittals of two Police officers on grievous bodily harm charges.

It was alleged Acting Sgt. Clive Nestrille Brown and P.c. Peter Stuart Mason unlawfully arrested and assaulted Mr. Dill. Both were charged with grievous bodily harm, but acquitted.

Sir James said the officers were lucky to be acquitted and the arrest was unjustified.

Police cannot arrest a motorist for speeding, but can if he fails to give his name and address.

Sir James stated: "If the Legislature intends Police officers to have power to arrest when the Police have reason to believe the name and address given is false it will have to say so expressly.

"It is my opinion that the Legislature should give consideration to requiring that all drivers of motor vehicles carry their driver's licence with them at all times and, if a person does not produce it, he may be arrested or detained until the licence is produced if the Police officer observes a traffic offence committed in his view, or if the Police officer has reason to suspect that the driver has committed a traffic offence.''