relaxation in laws governing the sale of second-hand cars in Bermuda "smacked of political expediency''.

He also warned that passage of the legislation to create a second-hand car market would "open Pandora's Box''.

The retired businessman said he felt the plan was put forward to "get more votes'' in the next election, and to help the local economy emerge from the recession.

"We need to take a new look at our transportation problems, not only what is politically or economically correct at the moment,'' he said.

Mr. Trimingham said any changes in policy should be part of an overall plan and not just consist of "piecemeal legislation''.

Transportation Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall recently announced the proposal, which would allow Bermuda motorists to sell their cars second-hand without having to wait a year to buy a new one.

Present laws give three options to avoid the waiting period: sell the vehicle as a taxi, export it, or have it destroyed and dumped.

"We seem to be loosening up all the laws, which is not the best thing for Bermuda,'' said Mr. Trimingham, who remembers a "quiet'' Bermuda without motorised vehicles. "The Ministry should help keep the number (of cars) down.

I don't think anyone could say the congestion on Bermuda's roads is something to be proud of.'' In response to Mr. Marshall's claim that visitors were the only ones complaining about the number of cars on Bermuda's roads, Mr. Trimingham said not taking their opinions into account amounted to "putting our heads in the sand''.

He said airport polls taken about a decade ago showed that 40 percent of the respondents listed traffic as their main complaint. He said he had no idea what the figures would be like today.

Bermuda's already battered tourism industry would be further damaged by the new legislation he said.

He also said the increase in cars would strain already over-burdened parking facilities in Hamilton, turning a trip to the city into an ordeal for car drivers.

"If you think the parking is difficult now, just wait until this goes through,'' warned Mr. Trimingham. "Retailers will definitely suffer. There will be nowhere for customers to park.'' When contacted by The Royal Gazette , Mr. Marshall said he had only received four complaints about the new plan, including Mr. Trimingham's.

"Policies of the past favoured the rich,'' said Mr. Marshall. "What we are doing is saying everyone has a right to own a car at a reasonable cost.'' The Transport Minister also maintained that Government had been considering the issue since the 1989 Traffic Report by English consultant Mr. Alastair Dick, which recommended the removal of restrictions on the second-hand car market. He denied the plan had a political motive as claimed by Mr. Trimingham and other critics.

"I don't think the increase is going to be that great,'' said Mr. Marshall in reference to fears of cars flooding the roadways.

He said only three in four Bermuda households allowed to own a car actually did. Mr. Marshall has projected an increase between five and eight percent if the new proposal is passed by the legislature.

Mr. deForest Trimingham.