Bermuda's drivers will have to buckle up under new seat belt laws to be introduced by 2002.

The laws will require car drivers and front-seat passengers to be strapped in -- bringing the Island in line with the UK, Canada, Australia and many US states.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown gave The Royal Gazette the exclusive news at the launch of Road Safety Week yesterday at the Transport Control Department.

After unveiling a ten-point plan to make Bermuda's roads safer, he said the seatbelt laws would be brought in before the next election.

Dr. Brown said: "It will be just like it's happened in other jurisdictions.

"First there was encouragement, then there was a national debate, then it became law.

"There is now a progression towards recommending it. I do believe that it won't be too far off when seat belts will become compulsory in Bermuda, but first we must get drivers accustomed to the idea.

"It is something which has never been officially encouraged thus far. But with regard to passing the law, it should be done within this term of Government.'' Back in January, Government Senate Leader Milton Scott called for compulsory seatbelt wearing and special harnesses for youngsters travelling in cars.

And "Buckle Up'' was action plan three in the ten-point safety strategy unveiled at the Transport Control Department yesterday.

Other road safety guidelines included: become a safe roads co-ordinator; keep your kids road-safe; wear your bicycle helmet; install a bicycle rear light; enrol in Project Ride; become a proficient defensive driver; Wearing seatbelts to be mandatory use your motorbike headlight; keep your hands phone-free; and alternate your mode of transport.

Safe-roads co-ordinators will be asked to organise designated driver clubs in businesses and schools, parishes and neighbourhoods.

The Royal Gazette revealed last month that the designated driver programme would now operate year-round, with an emphasis on work-run projects.

Dr. Brown added: "I would like to urge the drivers of motor vehicles in Bermuda to step back for a moment and think of safety on our roads.

"Think about the ten-point compliance programme. Think about our children.

Think about buckling up.'' TCD director Donald Dane revealed the number of vehicles in Bermuda had jumped to 51,000 -- from just 2,000 in 1946.

Eighty percent of Bermuda's vehicles are privately-owned.

But Mr. Dane added: "There is very little in the way of increased highway. We have just 125 miles.'' GOVERNMENT GVT