Teenagers will be banned from carrying passengers on their motorcycles for up to two years after passing their test if the Government accepts radical road safety proposals.
The Road Safety Officer, Roxanne Christopher, has drawn up a raft of measures to help cut a dramatic spike in casualties on the island's roads.
She will tell the Government that teenagers must face tougher, more realistic tests, and then be given graduated licenses that carry certain restrictions within the first two years.
The most hard-hitting proposal is to ban new riders from the road after 11pm, in a bid to cut drink-driving and late-night racing. Details of the road safety drive come on the same day that the family of Miguel Franco, 17, talked publicly for the first time about the teenager's death. Miguel died this week after his friend's motorcycle - on which he was riding pillion - crashed into a car and truck on Middle Road Miguel's family told the Bermuda Sun yesterday that although Miguel's life was brief, they will always be thankful for the "light and joy" he brought into their lives.
As tributes continue to pour in to the popular teenager, Miguel's childhood sweetheart, 17-year-old Julia Furtado, also paid a glowing eulogy. She said the Warwick Academy student had been "my best friend, my boyfriend, my family" and would always be a part of her heart.
Miguel was one of two people killed in road accidents over the weekend. Rudell Smith, 48, died after his motorcycle crashed in Ord Road, Paget. There were a further 30 reported traffic accidents over the weekend in a spike that police called "alarming."
Mrs. Christopher stressed that there is no evidence that dangerous driving caused either of the weekend's deaths. However, she said that some new riders take too many risks on the road and are rendered far too vulnerable when they are riding pillion.
She said: "When there is a crash the pillion passenger always, always receives more serious injuries, or is killed. The rider of the bike has the handlebars to hold on to, the passenger doesn't. We say that you should have a certain level of experience before you are allowed to tow a passenger.
"We are going to ask Government to consider graduated licensing. After they pass their test, people should be prevented from towing a passenger for a certain period of time - between six months to two years. They should also be required to be off the roads by a certain time - probably 11pm. Most accidents happen after that time. And there should be a zero alcohol limit for those with new licenses."
Passing her condolences to the families of Miguel and Mr. Smith, Mrs. Christopher said: "I was driving through Warwick and saw at least 50 children holding a candlelit vigil for Miguel Franco. It broke my heart to see that. Warwick Academy has suffered too much grief recently. It can't be allowed to go on."