The family of badly injured bike accident victim Jeordal Smith yesterday called for the legal driving age to be raised in a bid to slash the grim toll of death and injury on the roads.

A close family member said: "It was a nightmare when the Police told me -- you fear the worst.

"I can't explain the feeling. It was horrible. I don't want anyone to have to go through that. It's particularly hard at this time of the year.'' And she revealed Mr. Smith would spend Christmas and New Year in hospital, with weeks more in a general ward facing him.

The woman, who asked not to be named, was speaking only days after 20-year-old Mr. Smith suffered horrific injuries after being catapulted more than 20 feet over a sea wall at Bailey's Bay and landing on the rocky foreshore.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's intensive care unit said Mr. Smith's condition remained "critical.'' The family member stressed she was not suggesting her relative was to blame for the accident.

But he said: "I think these young people need to respect the road a little more than they do.

"I don't think they have any respect for the road -- but I'm not saying it was Jeordal's fault or anything. I don't know what happened.

"But I think they should up the age for driving until these children are a little more responsible.'' The woman said the age for bikes and cars should go as high as 21 to encourage mature behaviour on the roads.

She added: "I would say 21 to tell you the truth. I really do think that would make a difference.

"After 17, they're already passed on the road. I think something needs to be done about that.'' The woman added that Mr. Smith -- a former pupil of St. George's Secondary -- faced a long haul to recovery.

She said: "They are looking at at least a week-and-a-half in the intensive care unit. Then he'll be in a general ward for another month -- he's got to go through a lot of therapy.

"But he's going to be okay. That's the main thing.'' Mr. Smith's Honda Scoopy was in collision with a red Subaru J-10 car on Sunday afternoon at Bailey's Bay, near North Shore Road's junction with Fractious Street.

His bike smashed through a wall on the foreshore and Mr. Smith was thrown more than 20 feet, landing on rocks.

He suffered serious leg and head injuries and was rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for hours of emergency surgery.