Lawless

Bermudians tend to have a pretty laid back attitude about most things. The law is no exception.

Over a year ago a law was passed requiring local companies to include a list of ingredients on the products they sell. Hardly a big deal you'd think. But although most companies agree it won't actually cost much to implement, few have rushed to comply.

A manager from the Pizza House Bakery claimed they weren't following the law because the Health Department hadn't specified how much information needed to be included on the labels. However he also admitted that he hadn't bothered to seek such clarification from Government himself. Similarly, a manager at the Pie Factory said they were unlikely to start listing ingredients on their labels until the law was actually enforced.

I can't help but wonder if the same thing will happen when the law requiring seatbelts to be worn in the front seat of cars comes into effect on January 1st next year. Technically it's been illegal since the start of the year, although the police are currently only handing out warnings to violators, to give Bermudians a year to get used to the idea. I don't know how many warnings they've issued but I'd like to bet it's not many.

I sometimes wonder why they bother passing laws here at all.

Comments

[graeme outerbridge on 24.11.03 at 13:42]

Welcome to bandit country where we pass laws to keep civil servants busy--now do not forget that Bermudians come from a long line of pirates--rules are generally tested by breaking them--this includes passing on corners or the inside--labels are something you place on people--now where is that bottle of black rum--later Black Wolf

[Phil on 03.12.03 at 13:07]

Postscript: The Royal Gazette published the results of a brief survey today, which found that of 211 drivers of cars passing along East Broadway on Monday evening, only 107, or just over half, were wearing their seatbeats.

Seems like the Government should be able to make quite a bit of money out of this new law... if they choose to enforce it.