Magistrates will also no longer have to take away the driver's licence of repeat speeders and certain other traffic violators -- except in drunk-driving cases.

And consecutive disqualification periods for those with multiple traffic convictions, which have resulted in some motorists being banned from driving until 1999 and beyond, will be scratched from law books. However, traffic offenders could still land in jail if the magistrate hearing the case believes the punishment is fitting.

"In the case of certain repeat traffic offenders, magistrates currently have no option under the law but to send them to jail,'' Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall said. "We want to remove the mandatory part and leave it to the magistrate's discretion whether or not to jail the person. The revised laws would also leave it to the magistrate's discretion whether or not to put someone off the road for a traffic conviction -- unless that conviction is for driving while impaired.'' The Transport Ministry's move to change the Traffic Offences (Penalties) Act of 1976 is a direct result of recommendations in the Tumim report on the criminal justice system.

Mr. Marshall noted the existing laws were made several years ago after traffic offences took a turn for the worst. But the Tumim report noted the harsh laws had done little to reduce traffic offences on Bermuda's roads.

Instead, they caused frustration among young males especially, and hardened traffic offenders sent to join robbers and killers at Casemates Prison. The proposed amendments are set for debate in the House of Assembly, either this Friday or next.