The Transportation Minister has promised to "do what makes sense'' when looking at changing the maximum size of private cars.

In a press conference yesterday, Ewart Brown said the sole purpose of any increase in car size would be to "bumperise'' them to maintain the manufacturers' safety specifications.

"We're not lengthening the cars for the sake of lengthening them,'' he said while flanked by Transport Control Department head Donald Dane and Private Cars and Cycles committee chairman Stanley Morton.

"It is for the sake of safety,'' Dr. Brown said, adding the ministry had met with dealers.

Brown boosts `bumperisation' "Although I did not take a vote, it is clear that the car dealers are clear the intention of this ministry is to lengthen the cars but only -- to coin a new word -- bumperise them.'' Dr. Brown explained currently $1,500 to $2,000 is spent to shorten the bumpers to get the cars to fit the Island's 67-inches-wide by 169-inches-long limit.

Allowing the cars to be on the roads with the manufacturer's standard equipment would be "safer and a savings to the consumer'', Dr. Brown said.

"We believe that bumpers represent a safety feature and if we can do something to stop cars being modified so extensively then it will be a savings to the consumer and dealer as well,'' he said.

Dr. Brown promised there would be unity among the dealers, the Ministry, and consumers when legislation is tabled in the up coming parliamentary session, but he added if there was dissatisfaction, it would be part of the "democratic process''.