Speed limits near cameras

Nowadays, practically everyone knows where speed cameras have been installed. From the notorious Attard camera to the ones in Burmarrad, Mriehel, Xemxija and the Coast Road.

Many may also have noticed that around 50 and 100 metres away from the cameras, by some strange coincidence, the speed limits as listed in the Motor Vehicles Regulations (Chapter 65, L.S.11.127), are dropped by 10 km/h.

This is strange, as in Burmarrad and Mriehel, which are both straight roads and non-inhabited areas, there appears to be no reason to drop the speed limit. On the other hand, it might be that the speed limits are dropped only to increase the revenue from speeding fines.

Could the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) publish the studies that were carried out for these lower speed limits to be enforeced - if these have been carried out?

An ADT officer told me that no notices, either Legal Notices, or in the Malta Government Gazzette are issued to confirm the legality of these signs, and that such decisions are taken at authority level in respect of major roads.

Let's say that someone decides to erect a speed limit sign just for the fun of it. Where does one check whether this is legal or not?

A small suggestion might be for the ADT to reproduce a list of such signs on its Website. Maybe some interested MP might question that information in Parliament, so that we may be informed instead of having to speculate.

I have been sent a contravention ticket for driving at 76 km/h in a 70 km/h area, which, I believe, has no reason to be such. Burmarrad should rather be an 80 km/h area.

Could the ADT specifically inform the public whether the signs at this location have been legally approved?