Motorists must fit electronic tags to their vehicles under new legislation cracking down on uninsured drivers.

The Electronic Vehicle Registration Act 2007 was approved by the Senate on its Second Reading this week. It requires all vehicle owners to affix electronic tags which will then be read by electronic devices around the Island.

The measure is an attempt to track uninsured and unlicensed vehicles and to prosecute those owners breaking the law more effectively. Bermuda loses an estimated $11 million every five years due to 5,000 unlicensed vehicles being on the road at any one time. Government hopes to reduce the number of unlicensed vehicles from the current seven percent to less than one percent.

Under the new law, anyone interfering with the tags, electronic reading devices or cameras, will also face prosecution. Any motorist removing or destroying a tag is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000.

Each tag is unique, linking the owner's car to the Transport Control Department's vehicle register. Motorists have until July 2008 to comply.

Senator Wayne Caines, Junior Minister for Transport, said that beginning July 1, each vehicle the TCD licenses will be fitted with an Electronic Vehicle Registration Data tag. Although the Act initially applied to cars, "motorbikes and auxiliary cycles will follow".

Sen. Caines said the electronic tags would ease pressure on the Police in monitoring traffic on Bermuda's roads.

"This technology will provide much needed relief to Police," he said.

Senator Kim Wilson added: "It will allow us to have more Police for foot patrol. It means they will not be tied to running around in cars, it will allow them to do other roles."

Opposition Senator Gina Spence Farmer said: "We support the principles of the legislation but also have a few concerns.

"There is concern about Big Brother watching and many people have raised concerns to us about the tracking device. The long term effect of having your vehicle being tracked and who is having access to your every move is of great concern.

"We ask the Minister to also consider that Bermuda's roads are grossly overcrowded, fatalities are at an alarming high and the state of the roads are deplorable. We support the Bill but ask the Government to take into consideration many of the considerations that have been put across the board."

Sen. Caines said: "This Bill doesn't stand on its own. It's part of a series of measures that deal with traffic issues. There are clearly a number of issues of transport that the Senator mentioned. This only forms a part of legislation by Government to deal with traffic issues.

"The issue of Big Brother — we are living in a day and an age where this Bill is necessary. The world is changing and we must adapt to the changing world. It (electronic tagging) will not be used for anything other than what is prescribed in law."