By JASMIN BONIMY, Guardian Staff Reporter, jasmin@nasguard.com

The Road Traffic Department has officially launched its Highway Code for The Bahamas, in a bid to clamp down on the number of traffic fatalities on the nation's roadways.

Speaking at the launch ceremony yesterday morning, officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, along with representatives from the Road Traffic Department, said the Highway Code is intended to replace the study guide formerly used by student drivers. The 87-page booklet outlines general advice for drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, passengers, pedestrians, jitney and taxi operators.

Road Traffic Controller Jack Thompson, told the crowd of high school students and government officials present at the launch, that the new document will help to boost safety on local roads by targeting young drivers who have to study the Code in order to pass their drivers test.

"Now we have a proper, documented Highway Code," said Thompson. "We are proud to introduce this code to the youth here today because soon you will be applying for your license."

The Road Traffic Controller added that with the constantly changing vehicular landscape, the document is a valuable asset for all drivers, no matter their age or driving experience. For this reason, he said every Bahamian should own their own copy of the Code, which can be obtained at the Road Traffic Department.

Minister of Works and Transport Earl Deveaux, said his team had been working feverishly on the Code for the past year.

"The launch today is designed to raise public awareness of road safety because as we speak today, we mark the sixteenth traffic fatality for this year," said Minister Deveaux. "To me that is one life too many already. We're approaching the mid-year point and the Road Traffic Department is intensifying its programs for the institution of strengthening and development."

The government minister added that the launch of the Code is expected to "compliment the construction and improvements" of Bahamian roads.

"The biggest of which is the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP), which if all goes well, we hope to implement early this summer," he explained.

Meanwhile, officials say new features of the Code include placing a major emphasis on information for every road user. As a part of yesterday's launch, officials also unveiled several components to their road safety Initiatives, which included several seat-belt television advertisements, a road safety jingle, and road safety license disk holders.