The accidents which took place on New Year’s Eve and the early hours of Friday morning were ample proof that we can expect 2010 to continue on the same note of 2009.

There were accidents all over the islands, one happening in Gozo, but the tone is set. People will continue to drink while under the influence of alcohol.

Luckily, most of those involved in the accidents escaped unhurt and with cuts and bruises. However, one man was in a critical condition for some time, but his condition later stabilised.

The truth of the matter is that it could have been so much worse. The vehicles involved in the accidents are understood, for the most part, to have sustained extensive damage – which just goes to prove that most of these people had lucky escapes.

Of course, it is not fair to label each and every one of them as a drunk driver, but we are sure that most of the incidents were caused by people who were driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

2009 was Malta’s record year for deaths on the road and it seems that until this loophole in the law is sorted out, we will not see much of a change.

Some years ago, when random testing began, a person challenged the issue in court and it was decided that police should only have the option of stopping a driver for a test if they have given ample reason for the officers to believe they are under the influence.

Does this have to involve people smashing into trees? Parked cars? Oncoming vehicles or central reservations?

Something needs to be done and it needs to be done urgently. It is as clear as the light of day. Some Maltese motorists are simply not responsible enough to be on the roads. How can one go out for a whole night to celebrate the New Year (or Christmas or a birthday or a Saturday night) and expect to be able to control a vehicle? It is utter madness.

Shock treatment will probably not work either. Many agencies have tried year after year to try and stop people from taking to the roads in an inebriated state – it is clearly not working.

What needs to be introduced is random testing. But one cannot simply be draconian. We need to be proactive and a good idea could be to allow young people to get a breathalyser test before leaving their nightspot of choice.

Telling someone they are five times over the legal limit might change their mind about driving; they might do the intelligent thing and sleep it off or offer the keys to a sober mate.

Experts said that the number of fatalities on our roads could be reduced by up to 20 per cent, if only drink driving laws were enforced. We have seen over 20 people die on the roads in one year. How many more lives is it going to take? The average motorist would not mind a random test; most people do not drink while over the limit. Unfortunately it tends to be the younger people who will take the risk – and sometimes the consequences are disastrous. We need not remind ourselves of the circumstances of the accidents of 2009. Some were horrific. If we fail to tackle the ever growing carnage on our roads, it is going to become unsafe to use a road vehicle. It is really getting out of hand. How many this year? 25? 30?