Transport Minister Wayne Furbert yesterday pledged a crackdown on trucks spilling loose loads onto the roads.

And Mr. Furbert also appealed to owners of vehicles spilling oil on the roads to ensure the matter was reported and cleaned up.

The Minister's promised crackdown on trucks comes as the Police deploy extra officers to get to grips with speeding on the roads.

A dozen officers, working in teams, are patrolling Bermuda with radar guns spotting speeders.

Mr. Furbert hopes the initiative on trucks and on oil spills will further help to make the roads safer.

"It seems that some trucks are breaking the law. Those carrying loads like sand and debris are supposed to, by law, to cover the material,'' said the Minister.

"The law says very clearly that where a load is likely to spill and danger is likely to be caused to a person or property on or near the road, it should be covered,'' he added.

"As Minister, what I want to do is to try and enforce that law. Truck drivers and owners should be aware that I will be speaking to the authorities, like the Police and TCD, to observe more trucks.

"If need be, the trucks will be warned and then more action taken if the offences persist.'' Mr. Furbert added that oil on the roads was becoming a persistent problem around Bermuda.

He said recently he had personally noticed several spills, but that it was almost impossible to find the culprit.

"It's becoming commonplace,'' he said. "These people should be aware of what is happening and at least take some measures to ensure it does not carry on.''