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Bill proposes penalties for using hand-held devices while driving

You?d be fined: Government is seeking to introduce penalties for using a hand-held device, such as a cell phone, while driving. Picture above is posed by a model.

Residents who use a hand-held device while driving will soon be subject to penalties, if a bill tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday is passed by lawmakers.The Traffic Offences (Penalties) Amendment Bill 2011 would also specify penalties for driving cars with tinted windows and driving with a television or other display screen visible to the driver.Also tabled in Parliament is a bill which would establish the One Stop Career Centre, a Throne Speech initiative which would combine the resources of the Labour Relations, Career Development and the National Training Board to meet the needs of job seekers.The Incentives for Job Makers Bill 2011 was also tabled on Friday. Senior executives of companies which satisfy certain criteria will be allowed to apply for exemption to the normal requirements for permanent residence.The businesses must employ at least 25 Bermudians at all levels and provide entry level positions for Bermudians. In addition, qualifying businesses would have programmes in place to develop and train Bermudians and must not have attracted the intervention of labour relations officers or the Human Rights Commission.Senior executives who apply for such exemptions must be responsible for making decisions which are critical to the company’s continuity in Bermuda. The company’s presence in Bermuda must depend on the applicant remaining on the Island. The bill also provides for a fee of $120,000 for the permanent residence certificate.