Severely incompetent and careless drivers will be deemed driving dangerously under amendments being prepared by the Transport Ministry.

Minister Derrick Burgess said the Road Traffic Amendment Act will provide clear definitions on what constitutes dangerous driving following complaints Bermuda’s existing laws allow for confusion.

The new legislation states someone is driving dangerously if “the way he is driving is far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver”.

It creates three new offences: causing death or grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving; causing death or grievous bodily harm by driving while disqualified; and causing death or grievous bodily harm by driving unlicensed or uninsured.

Tabling the bill on Monday night, Mr Burgess told the House of Assembly: “Dangerous driving is not presently defined in the Act, so this will now greatly clarify what is considered dangerous driving.”

As an example, he said a truck driver carrying an uncovered load could be found guilty of dangerous driving.

The amendments move the law into line with the UK, said Mr Burgess, where the UK Road Safety Act was passed in 2006.

Mr Burgess said the new legislation would be tabled early in the next Parliamentary term.