The Natuionalist Party on Thursday called upon the government to take immediate action to improve road safety.
In 2016, the Government launched a National Transport Strategy aiming to halve road fatalities by 2030. This strategy also sought to reduce serious traffic injuries by 30% and minor injuries by 20%, the PN said.
The truth is that we are far from achieving these targets. While there were 17 fatalities in 2015, this increased to 26 in 2022, with a total of 29 fatalities in the last two years.
Fatalities are rising, not declining. The situation on our roads is worsening rather than improving.
During a press conference held on President Anton Buttigieg Street in Żejtun, Shadow Minister for Transport Mark Anthony Sammut, Shadow Minister for Health Adrian Delia, and Enya Abela, Minority Leader of the Żejtun Local Council, highlighted that over two years ago, a Transport Safety Investigative Commission was promised. This Commission was intended to investigate accidents, identify causes, and propose changes in road design or safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
However, this Commission remains on paper. Concerns about road safety have also been raised by NGOs such as Doctors for Safety and the Insurance Association of Malta. Additionally, the Road Safety Council, which used to play a significant role through educational campaigns, appears to have gone dormant. This, combined with the severe lack of enforcement, creates a recipe for disaster.
The Shadow Ministers explained that there is inadequate enforcement against drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, those using mobile phones while driving, hazardous parking, and improper use of lights.
Astonishingly, in a country with over half a million residents and hundreds of thousands of drivers, the police force has only 18 breathalysers, 17 of which were donated by another entity. Over the years, the Government has purchased only one breathalyser for the police.
This situation is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially with the rising prevalence of driving under the influence of cannabis. Unlike alcohol, there is no apparatus to determine if a driver is under the influence of cannabis.
Many roads have become accident blackspots, frequently making the news, yet no action is taken. One such road is President Anton Buttigieg Street in Żejtun, the site of today's press conference.
Furthermore, many workers from various sectors are working long hours, posing risks when driving in a fatigued state. The speakers also highlighted how stress on our roads contributes to mental health problems. Traffic and dangerous driving, combined with work-related stress and financial pressures, lead to increased anxiety and mental health issues, which often manifest on the roads.
The PN believes that a national action plan is needed to address these dangers, including:
- Effective traffic law enforcement to remove abusive drivers from our roads
- Harsher penalties and licence suspensions for drivers found responsible for accidents causing injuries or fatalities
- Educational campaigns to promote respect among road users, including car drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians
- Enforcement of safety measures during roadworks
- Expert reports on road design in areas with recurring accidents, such as President Anton Buttigieg Street in Żejtun, and proposals for improvements
- The establishment of the promised Transport Safety Investigative Commission to provide recommendations for preventing accidents.
The PN insists that this scourge of road accidents must be addressed, and safety should be prioritised.
Enya Abela, PN's Minority Leader in Żejtun, spoke about a petition signed by local residents last year, sent to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Transport, calling for measures to improve safety and reduce danger on President Anton Buttigieg Street. This petition has been ignored. Abela questioned why the government refuses to install a speed camera on this road, which has seen numerous accidents, including fatal ones, in recent years.
We cannot afford to waste another day merely talking. The government must immediately fulfil its promises to make our roads safer. It should lead by example, ensuring that works under its responsibility comply with road safety and health regulations and do not themselves become causes of accidents.
We must prevent more families from suffering tragedies due to negligence and inaction, the PN said.