automatic fines to replace most court appearances.

When the system comes into effect on August 1, offenders will be able to pay automatic fines of $100 for speeds of 50 kph or less, and $150 for speeds between 51 kph and 54 kph.

Those charged with faster speeds, or who cannot produce a driver's licence when they are stopped for speeding, must still appear in court.

The number of people disqualified from driving is likely to drop drastically under the new system.

At present, those convicted of speeding at less than 54 kph are taken off the road for three to six months for their second offence within two years.

The new system takes no account of previous convictions, Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall said, because the computer and staff resources are not yet available.

The changes could eliminate up to 3,500 court appearances a year.

"Approximately 5,000 speeding cases are processed annually, 70 percent of which involve speeds of less than 55 kph,'' Mr. Marshall told the House of Assembly yesterday.

"It is clear that the magistrates must spend a great deal of their time on routine speeding cases, and much productive time is lost by the public for these court appearances.

"...There are variations of opinion, I'm sure, but we think generally speaking most people in Bermuda feel that speeding at 54 kph is not a serious speeding offence.'' Under the present system, those caught speeding at 54 kph or less can be fined up to $500. In practice, speeders are typically fined between $75 and $85 for speeds up to about 50 kph, and about $100 for speeds of 51-54 kph.

Mr. Marshall said the new automatic system would require no extra personnel or financial resources, and should raise at least $181,000 in annual fine revenue.

Fines should be collected more quickly than before, he said, and pressure for more magistrates and extra court space should be reduced.

The changes passed the House of Assembly unanimously, and will be debated by the Senate in two weeks.

HON. RALPH MARSHALL.