From Mr D. Agius
I would like to raise a point about the setting up of speed cameras and the way speed limits are introduced.
Nowadays, pretty much everyone knows where speed cameras are set up – from the notorious Attard camera to the ones in Burmarrad, Mriehel, Xemxija and the Coast Road. Most readers may also notice that around 50 and 100 metres before the cameras, by some strange coincidence, the speed limits as listed in the Motor Vehicles Regulations (Chapter 65, L.S.11.127), are reduced by 10kpm.
In my opinion this is a strange occurrence, as in Burmarrad and Mriehel, which are both straight roads and non-inhabited areas, there appears to be no reason to reduce the speed limit.
On the other hand, and here I am only speculating, it might be that the speed limits are reduced only to increase the intake of money from speeding fines.
Can the Malta Transport Authority publish the studies that were carried out in order to have come up with these lower speed limits, if such studies have been carried out?
I have been in contact with the Malta Transport Authority to shed some light on this. The officer to whom I spoke informed me that no notices, either Legal Notices or in the Malta Government Gazette, are issued to confirm the legality of these signs, and that such decisions are taken at authority level in respect of major roads.
Now let’s suggest that someone decides to set up a speed limit sign just for the fun of it, or for any other reason. Where does one check whether this is legal or not?
A little suggestion might be for the authority to reproduce a list of such signs on its website. On the other hand, maybe some interested MP might ask a question about such information in Parliament, so that we may be informed instead of having to speculate, as I am doing.
I have been sent a contravention ticket for driving at a speed of 76kph in a 70kph area that, in my opinion, has no reason to be as such but rather should be an 80kph area (Burmarrad). Will the authority specifically inform the public as to whether the signs at this location have been legally approved?
David Agius
ST PAUL’S BAY