He said that with regard to traffic fatalities, Malta falls within the 40 in a million region, which compares very well to the European average. In fact it is the lowest per capita rate in Europe. One of the main reasons why traffic fatalities in Malta are not so common is that the speed is not so high and the distances travelled are not so long.

However, when one considers the distance travelled by Maltese vehicles, the number of traffic accidents with fatalities is two to three times higher than the European average. Traffic fatalities are the ninth most common cause of death in the world, he added.

Speaking during a forum for local councils organised by the Malta Transport Authority, Mr Mugliett said the number of licensed vehicles totalled 270,686. In a recent parliamentary sitting, Mr Mugliett said that just over 20 per cent of these vehicles are over 20 years old while nearly seven per cent were over 30 years old. He said that with so many cars on Maltese roads, it is obvious that the density and concentration of cars is high. However, the traffic management schemes being used in Malta are yielding positive results. He mentioned the recently-introduced points system, changes to the driving tests, the introduction of the obligatory use of safety belts both in front and on the back seats of the vehicles and various traffic calming measures.

Mr Mugliett said local councils were the ADT’s and the ministry’s partners in efforts to make the Maltese roads safer. He said the guidelines the councils were given yesterday were intended to decrease the inconsistency between one council and another. The guidelines specify the sizes and distances of the traffic signs to be used by the councils.

He said the guidelines were not the do-all end-all and the ministry as well as the ADT were expecting the councils’ feedback on the matter in order to change what needs to be changed.

During his speech Mr Mugliett also spoke about the enforcement arm of the council: the wardens. He said that while fining motorists for the usual contraventions was good, the local councils should direct wardens at pinpointing and fining those who would be damaging the roads. He made particular reference to trucks and other heavy vehicles which damage water pipes and the roads and which are not being fined for doing so.

He also spoke about the councils’ help with regard to the enforcement of the new littering law that is soon expected to come into force.

On the programme to improve the Maltese roads, Mr Mugliett said there are around 600 residential roads that need to be asphalted. For 80 of these a tender has already been issued. As to another 75 the local councils in the respective localities are seeing to them or have already carried out work. “We have to prioritise,” he said.

The guidelines issued by the Traffic Management Directorate within the ADT include those for signage and carriageway markings, a draft road zones policy, a draft policy for the impeded access to garages and a draft policy to regularise the temporary placing of banners, signs and posters.