Bermudians buckle up abroad, so why shouldn't they in Bermuda?

That was the question posed by Sen. Larry Mussenden (PLP) to the Upper House on Monday.

"Bermudians love to travel," he told the Senate during the first reading of the Motor Car Amendment (No. 3) Act 2001 which will introduce seatbelt legislation on January 1.

"And when we go abroad we always rent cars, often big cars, and it is an almost automatic thing to put on your seatbelt. I even buckle up when I am in the back of New York taxis.

"But when we get back to Bermuda, we often forget to it. But we will have to learn to put them on.

"This is all about saving lives so we must not waste any more time bringing this law in."

His final comment was a response to Sen. Kenneth Bascome, who had toed the UBP party line in trying to slow down the introduction of the seatbelt laws.

"We do support the legislation but it will take time for the public to get used to it," he said.

The UBP had attempted to have penalties for not wearing seatbelts delayed for six months when the bill came up in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Under the legislation people not wearing seatbelts and children not in car seats face fines of up to $2,100 from New Year's Day.