A draft of tough new proposals to cut the carnage on Bermuda's roads is to be unveiled in the next few days.

And the architects of the plan, the Road Safety Council, say they are going to get tough with motorists in order to make the highways safer for all.

Chairman Delcina Bean-Burrows and road safety officer Roxanne Christopher have revealed a number of their aims ahead of their presentation to Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

Mandatory seat belts, child restraints, compulsory cycle training for youngsters, a new driving licence points system and new regulations on impaired driving top the list.

Speaking after their first national Go Slow Day, the pair may also call on employers to assist in educating bad drivers of their workforce or imposing penalties on staff who transgress.

Ms Bean-Burrows said yesterday's promotion was just the beginning of a sustained campaign to improve driving standards and save lives.

"We have only scratched the surface. The community must know we plan to work with them but we will be very aggressive in our bid to bring about safer roads,'' she said.

"The community has become aware of the crisis. You can't continue to allow road fatalities, we have to make a stand.'' Only last weekend, two young men were killed after a cycle accident -- bringing the 1999 total to four deaths on the roads.

Yesterday's Go Slow Day was hailed a success by Ms Christopher, who said accidents were down for the day.

One motorist escaped serious injury after his car overturned on South Road, Paget. And heavy rain helped slow down traffic, as motorists were brought to a standstill on Middle and Harbour Road last night because of flooding.

Ms. Christopher said drivers and riders had embraced the idea, driving at the 35 km speed limit and with their headlights on during the day.

"There has been a wonderful response,'' she said. "Our critics didn't think it was going to work, but they have had to take back their criticisms.'' Ms. Bean-Burrows said they had taken time to explore various initiatives before going to the Government, but believed their ideas could be well received.

A points-based driving licence would mean offenders received a quota of points for each motoring offence, and on reaching a given total they would be banned.

A similar system is in use in the UK. For example, a minor speeding offence would carry three points, and once 12 is reached, the offender is off the road for a year.

The Road Safety Council also hopes to have Project Ride mandatory in schools by 2001 at the latest.

"We will present this to the Minister and hope he will take it to the Cabinet, and the Government will act in accordance,'' said Ms. Bean-Burrows.

Flipped out: This car overturned on the South Shore on Go Slow Day -- yesterday, after hitting a curb.