Road safety: The three Es

I would like to reply to Frans H. Said regarding his letter Whither ADT? (May 2). I am a road safety and driver training consultant, of 17 years experience, living in Malta.

He asks "If it is true that a speed camera will reduce accidents, how is it that on a long road (say Żebbuġ Road) there is only one camera?"

The answer to reducing accidents (or crashes, as road safety experts prefer to call them) is more complex than just addressing speed. It should be addressed through the three Es.

Enforcement: This should not be done through speed cameras alone; as Mr Said states it does not detect the maximum speed different vehicles are allowed to travel at. But just as importantly, it does not detect inappropriate speed, which is the real problem. Even on long straight roads the safe speed (please note I say safe not maximum permitted) can change, for example driving at 70 kph might be safe one day but the same road on different day driving at 70 kph could be totally irresponsible if visibility is restricted or in heavy rain.

Engineering: This relates to road design, road markings and effective signage. I'm sure most (if not all) readers will agree this is improving in Malta, but still has a long way to go.

The other aspect of engineering is the modern motor car, which has many more safety features than that of cars just a few years ago. I would urge the government to consider this when considering the amount of import tax they levy on new imported cars.

Education: Yes, the basic driving test has improved, but it is not the test which is important; the training to pass the test that new drivers receive does more to reduce crashes. However, it is not just new drivers that require quality training. What about the experienced drivers? After all, don't they have crashes too?

Back to Mr Said's question on the reasoning on the location of cameras. It is not whether the road is straight or how long it is that should be the deciding factor in locating speed cameras.

They should be located only in accident (crash) black spots i.e. if a straight road has a side road that has poor sightlines or crossroads, which are particularly dangerous, if priority is not clearly identified, then locating a speed camera will reduce crashes. If cameras are located where there is no history of crashes, then they will be seen as revenue raising machines.