Justice Minister Tonio Borg, when answering Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi in Parliament, gave the following reply with regard to people driving under the influence of drink in the years 2003-2005.

Fifty-four people tested positive in 2003. Fort-nine refused to take the test in the same year. Forty-eight people tested positive in 2004 while 59 refused the test. Thirty tested positive last year while 39 refused the test.

In other words during those three years, 132 tested positive while 147 refused the test.

This is a terribly worrying trend, since refusal in most other countries is considered a serious crime, unless there is a medical reason for being unable to provide a breath test. The other factor is generally the positive results far outweigh the refusals.

If the minister would spare the time, could he kindly explain to all and sundry what happened to so many drivers who refused to take the test?

Finally, the results he provides show a 30 per cent fall in the testing of drivers between 2003 and 2005.

Yet the problems on the roads continue unabated.

Today, in the space of a three-quarter hour car journey, I noticed at least six drivers using their mobile phones while driving.

And what about the terribly dangerous Maltese night habit of cars driving with only one headlight functioning. Next time you drive at night just count those vehicles.

Colonel Dr Raymond Bencini

Zebbug