And in another proposal to bring sweeping reform to road safety - the Ministry of Transport is looking to radically tighten regulations on the licensing and operation of motorcycles.
We've reported on so many fatal accidents - especially involving young men - most recently over the weekend in Yo Creek when two cycles collided and two young men were killed.
CEO Chester says all the regs need revising - and it should start with a moratorium on motorcycle licenses:
Chester Williams, CEO - Transport
"And I proposed to the minister for us to have a moratorium on the issuing of license on motorcycles. Well, motorcycles are certainly becoming an issue. Yes, I know it is not going to be within the sole prerogative of for a ministry to make that decision."
"But we are going to propose to cabinet for there to be a moratorium for us to do a more comprehensive studies in terms of what we need to do to enhance, road safety when motorcycles are concerned. There are several issues surrounding motorcycles. Like you rightly pointed out, the fact that they are used, by some to engage in criminal activities, is a major concern."
"The fact that we have a number of our young people dying on our highways, on motorcycles due to reckless use of a motor cycle is another major issue. And so we have to look at both of these, issues and see what we can do to, to be able to make the riding of motorcycles on the highway more safer."
"We have discussed, to see if we can come up with a plan where in order for you to get a driver's license for a motorcycle, you must undergo a 2 to 3 weeks, motorcycle riding course. We're hoping that there are going to be people, entrepreneurs who may wish to open a school, to teach people to ride motorcycles."
"And, in order for you to get the license to ride the motorcycle, you will have to be certified by a certified institution."
"We're also looking at, trying to see how we can get the Bureau of Standard to come up with a standard certified helmet, that motorcycle riders must use, because this practice where they just use a bicycle helmet that's just kept on top of the head, needs to be dual do away with, it is not a proper helmet, itoes not protect them in the case of an accident. And so that is one thing that we also need to try to see how we can address. Again, we do understand that motorcycles is the poor man's transportation. And, we are hoping that if we do get the go ahead for the moratorium, it shouldn't be for too long."
"I think in about a month, two months time, we should be able to, to come up with a more comprehensive plan."
"Again, we need to look at the vendors of the motorcycles. The law is clear that in order to sell a motorcycle you must sell a helmet with it, The question is, are they the vendors selling helmets with the motorcycles?"
"And if the answer is yes. What type of helmets are they selling? So that's an issue we need to look at."
