Continued from Thursday Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott agreed that transportation in Bermuda was not as much of a problem as it was in other jurisdictions but it had to be addressed.

Senators on Wednesday supported a new strategy to combat traffic problems on the Island.

The Upper House approved the "Strategies to Improve Transportation Mobility, Road Safety and Vehicle Emissions Report''.

Sen. Scott also called on Government to look into how the cost of ground transportation on the Island could be reduced and regulated to protect visitors and locals. He said an effective driving education programme needed to be put in place for children.

He also recommended vision tests and other medical examinations for drivers renewing their licences to monitor any decrease in their medical ability.

Sen. Jeanette Cannonier (IND) agreed with Sen. Scott and stressed: "There are a number of people on the roads who are not medically fit to drive.'' She also called for seat belt use to become mandatory on the Island. Sen.

Cannonier suggested that more traffic lights be set up around the Island to help control flow, particularly during rush hour.

And she recommended that more sidewalks be installed along with better street lighting in order to protect the non-vehicle users on the roads such as walkers and joggers.

Government Senate Leader E.T. (Bob) Richards noted that if restrictions on the number of vehicles per household had not been in place, the Island's transportion problem would be worse.

He said a new transport system would also require privatisation of certain services.

PLP Sen. Terry Lister urged caution in the use of TCD officials used for traffic controls in case they end up in road rage situations they are unable to cope with.

And he called for more use of flex-time to ease the rush-hour loads on the roads.

Sen. Lister also questioned the use of a single private sector body to check vehicle exhaust pollution, although he noted there was provision to allow more providers of the service.

He pointed out that 50,000 vehicles would generate more than $1 million in business a year.

And he said: "We should be monitoring how that's being spread around -- I'm not in favour of a monopoly.'' UBP Sen. Yvette Swan said the young and young black men could not be blamed alone for dangerous driving practices on the roads and quoted several instances of women and professional people driving dangerously.

And she backed Sen. Cannonier's call for mandatory seat belt use.