Bermudians who owe an estimated $1.4 million in unpaid traffic fines face being unable to license their vehicles under tough new legislation passed by Parliament yesterday.

The two bills that were passed yesterday covering cars and bikes apply retrospectively ? so those who already have outstanding fines could find themselves off the road under the new rules.

"There is indeed a love affair between Bermudians and their vehicles and they will resent the separation from them," commented Transport Minister , as the bills were discussed yesterday.

To the annoyance of Opposition members, he did not answer questions about exactly how much money is owed to the courts in unpaid fines, merely stating that the figure was in "millions of dollars."

But inquiries made of the Magistrates' Court by yesterday revealed that a total of $1.4 million is outstanding in traffic fines covering just the six month period from April 1 to the end of September this year.

"Unpaid traffic fines are contempt of court and show reluctance to take responsibility for your actions. This will hit at the heart of those who refuse to obey the law," said Dr. Brown in Parliament.

He explained that an technological interface at the TCD would allow workers to see that unpaid fines are outstanding when people come in to licence their vehicles.

It is proposed that the TCD be able to collect unpaid traffic fines in future, promoting the idea of it being a "one stop shop".

Opposition MPs broadly supported the bill, although some wanted more information, and Shadow Minister for Transport called for it to be extended to parents who fail to pay child support.

He also questioned what the current figure for unpaid fines is and how many unlicensed vehicles there are.

Opposition Leader agreed with the call for "dead beat parents" to be punished through the new legislation and reiterated the question about the amount of fines outstanding and how many vehicles and individuals were likely to be affected.

The UBP's raised a concern that TCD clerks might be left to deal with the repercussions when people get upset that they are not be allowed to licence their vehicles.

But Home Affairs Minister said civil servants in other areas already face such problems when dealing with the public .

"If there's any situation that's getting out of hand, we have the Police Service there to assist," he told the House.

Shadow Minister questioned: "Cars don't commit crimes ? people do. Why don't we take the (driving) licence from the person who doesn't pay the fine?

"I could not pay a fine and then drive my neighbour's car with total disregard to my commitment to the country."

Responding to the debate, Dr. Brown said that some of the "important issues raised by members" would be addressed as the plans roll out.

He said of Mr. Burgess' question about removing licences from people: "Disqualification of drivers and their ability to drive on the road is handled through the courts."

Speaking after the session, a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport said that the new bills should not be looked at in isolation, but as the beginning of a raft of legislation that would deal with a number of related issues.

The bills will now go before the Senate.