A new law that will see demerit points issued to law-breaking motorists, leading to a total driving ban if they collect 12 or more, has been given the seal of approval by Senators.

But there has also been renewed calls for greater education of the public, particularly young people, about the importance of driving within the law rather then simply introducing a penalty points system to correct bad driving habits.

And using a cell phone while driving could be outlawed next as the Government seeks to make Bermuda's roads safer.

Cross-party support was given to the proposed new regulations that will create a penalty points system similar to those already used in the UK and Canada.

"Once the Bill comes into force the motto will be 'Don't Get A Dozen', because getting a dozen means you are off the road," said .

The tougher laws will mean drivers face a sliding scale of penalty points, as well as fines, for offences ranging from jumping a red light to speeding, riding without a fastened helmet, not using a seat belt and driving without due care.

The number of points issued will depend on the seriousness of the offence and anyone who collects 12 or more points is automatically banned from driving any vehicle until enough of their points have expired to bring their total back below 12.

Points do not expire until two years have passed from the date of the conviction for an offence.

Sen. Roban said the new rules were a "step in the right direction" and offered some details on how the points will be administered through a computerised link-up between the TCD and the magistrates' court so that magistrates would know if a motoring offender had reached their ban threshold.

"That system will be there once the Bill commences. We are going to spend a lot of time educating the public, Police, courts and TCD about how the system works," he said, as senators considered the Traffic Offences (Penalties) Amendment Act.said: "While this Bill speaks to penalties it's important to recognise that part of the problem is the amount of traffic that occupies the roads today from sunrise to sunset ? far more than it ever was 20 years ago.

"And the other point is the mindset in Bermuda because it has become more of an urban society with greater levels of traffic and you can see when you are driving the levels of frustration that are expressed on the roads, people racing to go nowhere and motorcycles using the 'third lane' especially around Hamilton."

He said more should be done to with traffic initiatives such as the speed monitoring sign near Whitney Institute Middle School in Smith's, which flashes up the speed of passing traffic.suggested there needs to be a law to address the use of cell phones by motorists,and perhaps fixing a demerit points tariff to dissuade people from using a non-hands free phone while driving or riding.

The demerit system is the first step towards a "safety first" approach for road-users, said , who pointed out it was not the youngest motorists who were the worst offenders, but many of those on their 20s and 30s.

He said he wanted the Island to have the catchphrase "Bermuda is Safe" rather than "Bermuda is Another World."

Bumper-to-bumper traffic travelling at 60 mph on the freeways of Los Angeles, and the resulting road rage incidents where angry motorists are known to pull guns on one another, was mentioned by Sen. Bob Richards as an example of what can happen when traffic density reached extreme limits.

He said Bermuda's traffic density was soaring, and added: "I wish I had a silver bullet-type solution to this."

More Police patrolling the roads was something Sen. Richards would like to see. He said: "Our safety is being put at risk because of a Police force that is understaffed."