BEST On Car Proposal: ‘Look Before We Leap’
BEST has weighed in on the proposal to introduce rental cars in Bermuda, saying that “a deeper look suggests that mini vehicles for tourists may be a gift with mixed benefits” and we should “look before we leap.”
BEST’s comments follow after the Motor Car Amendment [No. 2] Act 2016 was tabled in the House of Assembly, with the Bill seeking to amend the Motor Car Act 1951 to include provisions for a motor car rental scheme.
The Bill was due to be debated in the House today, however following a meeting last night with taxi owners and other transportation stakeholders, the Government has decided not to debate the Bill today and will “carry it forward to the next parliamentary session in order to consult with transportation partners further.”
A BEST spokesperson said, “The announcement about the introduction of rental cars in Bermuda seems on the surface to have nothing but benefits for tourist transportation and thus Bermuda’s tourism industry.
“Some of the more obvious benefits include self transport for tourists at their own schedule, door to door hop-on and hop-off, traveling dry in wet weather, and less risky and somewhat safer travel.
“However, a deeper look suggests that mini vehicles for tourists may be a gift with mixed benefits. If we reflect to the unexpected /unintended effects of low powered and slower moving vehicles added to our roads, the benefits may be outdone by these unintended consequences
“We would caution any sudden or major adjustment to our Island’s traffic population until several questions have been asked, and answered.”
Minister Michael Fahy’s press conference about the proposal:
“Has an ‘omni’ Impact Assessment been conducted, gauging the impact of this new class of vehicles on traffic congestion, parking, policing, differential road speeds due to low power?
“Has there been an examination of the potential conflict between what is becoming the de facto speed limit and the fact that these vehicles will be, essentially, underpowered cars?
“Has there been input on this scheme from the Bermuda Road Safety Council? If so, what was it? Has other collateral impact, such as to other transport services, been examined? What specifically will be the regulations associated with these vehicles?
“We know from our own experience the disastrous impact of larger vehicles [trucks, cars and bikes], faster vehicles [cars and bikes], inadequate policing and the consequent ill-behaviour on our roads. The existing laws — speed limits and noise limits, for sure — are almost universally ignored.
“The broader social lesson from lack of enforcement of laws of the land threatens the quality of life of residents and tourists alike.
“The potential for injuries, heightened road-rage and damage to the very tourist industry we’re trying to help is too great to proceed without careful and thorough thinking-through of this course of action. Let’s look before we leap.”
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Category: All, Environment
