Plans to use graphic images of accident victims to encourage motorists to ride safer were yesterday criticised by the United Bermuda Party.

Shadow Transport Minister Michael Fahy said the party believed a change in legislation would have a greater impact in improving riders' habits than pictures of crash victims.

The Road Safety Council intends to display pictures of actual persons who died or were seriously injured in road accidents, in bars and restaurants across the Island.

The move is part of a guerrilla campaign which could lead to stricter driving laws including random breath tests on motorists

"We certainly support the proposal in terms of legislation to deter drunk driving such as breathalyser and random sobriety testing as well as enforcing and ensuring the re-education of offenders," said Mr. Fahy.

"We also fully support the noticeable increased Police presence on the road, which is a step in the right direction, and we hope that this presence can be maintained. This will have a dramatic effect on changing driver habits in Bermuda."

He added: "However, in terms of the graphic photographs, there is little, to no evidence that this would work in deterring bad driving.

"Experts that I've spoken to have said that graphic images do not deter people from driving poorly.

"We need to concentrate on the enforcement of existing laws, putting in place legislation that is going to deter the bad driving habits – in particular speed cameras, the graduated licensing scheme, increased road lighting, and installation and use of cat's eyes, which has proven to reduce road accidents and deaths."