New speed cameras just a tax - Muscat

r. huber

Feb 24th 2009, 09:23

There must be a sense in having speed cameras but taking into consideration the state of our roads then no it does not make sense. First adjust the roads to make them suitable to drive on...then create methods for an extra safety on our roads. This is definitely lowering the standard of our country. Tourists actually make the states of our roads a part of our culture....should it be this way? What impression does this give?

E.Fenech

Feb 24th 2009, 08:30

Oh how much the minister and the ADT cares about us, they rip off our money from licence tax, registration tax, and now speed tax.
Why shouldnt the authorities first build and repair our roads decently, why should our roads given priority to overlap? Why should we have to drive dangerous when you find a driver, driving slowly and in the middle of the road and one cannot overtake, Why are the roads instead of being widened are being narrowed? Such as the road leading from Attard to Rabat , from Naxxar to Qawra (Telgha ta Alla W Ommu), and all the coast road from St Pauls Bay to Madliena. Why is it that Sliema road in San Gwann was half repaired? why are all our roads in a devasting situation? where are all our taxes on cars going?

.

L.Darmanin

Feb 23rd 2009, 23:19

In my opinion, yes speed cameras are useful but ADT should paint the speed cameras with a highly visible colour like bright yellow or orange like most of the EU countries do.
Please have a look at the article in the links below , they make a lot of sense and it help drivers calm down not be more nervous.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-new-yellow-peril--painted-speed-cameras-619043.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-64052/Speed-cameras-painted-orange.html

a darmanin

Feb 23rd 2009, 22:30

Speed cameras = Government desperate for cash.

Richard Curmi

Feb 23rd 2009, 20:38

Mark Magri, I will say it to you too. If you are a driver who cannot drive safe at least at 70km in a straight dual carriage road ,you should not even hold a licence. Take a bus and don`t drive if you think it`s so dangerous. Roads are to drive on ,not crawl on. I really do not give much of a toss about our political parties, at least J.Muscat spoke about it because of the reaction these absurd speed limits have caused, unlike our roads minister ,who washed his hands and said he has experts to do these laws. Yeah,right, experts to cause more congestions and accidents like I was going to see this morning prior to entering the St.Venera tunnel, because some nerd driver jumped on the brake without seeing who is behined him. Cause! he was doing in the region of 70-75km and apperently he though the camera was going to flash him.

R Grech

Feb 23rd 2009, 20:34

Speed cameras do not improve the level of safety at our roads especially with their state. For example when entering the St Venera tunnels in the middle where you cannot see you find a whole. Does the new speed camera on its exit improve the tunnel safety. DEFINETELY NOT!! What abour near Mater Dei, the placement of the camera was at the incorrect position. If one should agree with a speed camera it should have been towards the University Tunnel where one can easily accelerate up to 80 or even 100Km/H. The same for the other one on the other side of the road, coming from a roadabout where you should have slowed down it is useless. Even one had to agree with the concept it does makes more sense before the Vodafone Roadabout.

Mark J. Magri

Feb 23rd 2009, 19:02

Yes,- Iam 100% positive that speed cameras are fixed at each corner of the Island.We need them to avoid fatal traffic accidents in our roads. It is a high time to have respect for one another especially while driving along busy roads not to create anymore serious accidents added to ones already in list.

D Attard

Feb 23rd 2009, 18:38

@ Joe Vella Mellieha Please limit such comments..JM wasn't asking drivers to drive dangerously...he was simply asking why a bypass was given a 60kmph speed limit. If you drive you must know that it's ridiculous. I am what one would call a slow driver..but it is difficult to drive at that speed on the b'kara by-pass. I passed twice today...had to go on 45-50 just in case. I don't envy anyone having to drive there, (past Mater Dei) in the morning during rush hour.

t farrugia

Feb 23rd 2009, 18:30

60km/h is too low!!! i agree 100% with joseph muscat. they are a money machine. speed cameras do not make the roads safer. they can even be more dangerous because it is a known fact that when there is a speed camera drivers focus more on their speedometer than on the road in fear of getting a ticket!!!!! accidents mostly do not happen due to speeding. most happen due to selfish driving such as people changing lanes without checking if their are any cars in the way or coming out of stop signs without looking first!!!

D Zammit

Feb 23rd 2009, 18:10

@ A Cardona In your first post you asked whether PL candidates will adjust the speed limit so I will once again tell you, Local councils do not set up speed limit. It's the ADT. Re installation of cameras yes you're right it's the regional committe, but it wasn't your point.

O.Grixti

Feb 23rd 2009, 18:00

YES it is another TAX !!! It is like a funeral ! I can't even give the fifth gear ... more fuel consumption , more fumes more damage to the enviroment .. How they are helping the people? how people get accidents if they go 80km in a straigth road? accidents happen in cities not bypasses !! they are only helping the government pockets ! if they are 60km people drive at 50 km not to be fined .. What an idea !!! It is like the 5000 euros for immigrants, they are coming in hundreds now !! Keep it up !!

giovDeMartino

Feb 23rd 2009, 17:54

Ban on smoking in public places is just a tax!

c.camilleri

Feb 23rd 2009, 17:44

@Jimmy Magro. The cash cow is for those who break the speed limits. I prefer to go a little bit slower than to have a fatal accidents. Ahjar uf milli ah jghid il-proverbju Malti. With such bright ideas no wonder that the labour party made no progress when you were their Secretary General. Something which exists in all civilised countries is turned into a political ball by the opposition. Even on such minor thing they try to gain political mileage. When are they going to grow up?

P.Schembri

Feb 23rd 2009, 17:14

@All. Why all this hullabaloo against Joseph Muscat when the one who started it all was Vincent Farrugia future PN MEP(if elected) and Secretary General of the GRTU. @PN apologists. Why don't you attack him? Or now he has become one of the stable boys?

Pawlu Bugeja

Feb 23rd 2009, 17:09

Keep On Smiling, KEEP on smiling. Now that our roads are all to MOON Union Standard the government has nothing more to do with our surplus budget . Lowering speed limit is for your own safety my friends to maneuver in time to avoid the Craters on our roads.I assure you all intentions of this gov are, Biex int tghix ahjar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noel Sciberras

Feb 23rd 2009, 16:16

I wonder if these anti Joseph bloggers have read the article and what Joseph said .

His point is right and turning and turning and turning all we have to say is that these are new way of taxation .

First these PN bloggers should turn to their beloved government and ask him when he is going to start fixing the roads and then i ould understand how can you would be the first one to open you anti Joseph attack .

you are always pointing your finger to say that Joseph is trying to take political milage in what he says but you will be always the fist one to say against him .

Thanks to this guy loads of things are coming into place , believe or not

Ryan Dalli

Feb 23rd 2009, 16:07

If the government's real concern is out safety, there are other methods which may be implemented on our roads rather then an extreme number of speed cameras.
First of all, he must educate the people, especially the young ones, and improving our roads.
Does anyone here remembers Eddie Fenech Adami's electoral promise that he would arrange every road around Malta?
As far as I know, every major road around Malta is like driving on the moon (with speed cameras).
This Government just needs our money to hide his inefficiencies in governing!

Samuel Ramage

Feb 23rd 2009, 15:43

Just think about it for a second the less speed the less fuel you use and have to buy and so does enemalta, iam also against them as money making machines, a little care gets you there just the same only alive and in one piece

V Fenech

Feb 23rd 2009, 15:18

Every Sunday the Nationalist die-hards come out as soon as Joseph Muscat opens his mouth to speak about what is preoccupying the people out there. The NP wants to behold a country with a silent majority so that they will continue to do everything they like. This is another extra tax, like all other taxes which are being implemented for several stupid reasons.

The Blue Elfs are trying to to feed us that speed cameras would make us forget what are traffic accidents, in fact they are one important measure to prevent accidents. But may I ask you, how are these cameras going to stop a driver under the effects of alcohol from reducing the car's speed?!! So wake up and get rid of your annoying reasoning; think about selecting another tune when attacking the Labour Leader. Joseph Muscat should continue to fight our rights and put further pressure on the Government like all the social partners are doing!

Talking about cars, is the Government going to conform with the EU laws when it comes to the registration tax??? Or is Gonzi trying to refund us after stealing us money from a ridiculous tax based on a ridiculous 60km/hr rate??

c.camilleri

Feb 23rd 2009, 15:12

So speed cameras came into the political arena too. Joseph is really a good apprentice of A. Sant. Is the earthquake promised before he became leader.

Muscat.Pat

Feb 23rd 2009, 15:06

@J. Vella.
Joseph Muscat hit the bull's eye with his comments on speed-camera tax. Speed camera enforcements often have little or nothing to do with road safety. There are many more effective ways to improve road safety ( pot holes+lousy road building + more road signs) than prosecuting drivers who stray 5 miles above speed camera limits, but below by 15 or 20 kms traffic laws! But as way to of generating revenue for the warden system, and for the government is unbeatable. That's right, the main motivation behind speed cameras is money. Because how can one explain that for example the Burmarrad camera is not down hill ( by the bends where accidents occur) but along a straight , non-dangerous part of the road. Again why is the camera at the Tunnels are not inside the tunnel ( speeding very dangerous inside the tunnel,) The truth is that drivers are easy prey, whilst say a thief who burgles a house gets off with probation! If anything why does,nt the Government reduce all speed limits to 70 or 60 kms; then drivers will not be caught in the cash-trap.

vince Pace

Feb 23rd 2009, 14:59

mr cardona.
you do not know what you are talking about. ADT is the "regulator". They decide whats good and not good for road users. Are you telling me that if the local council asks for traffic lights every 100 metres they'll get them. of-course not. ADT has the final say on everything, so please do not blame the local councils. Speed cameras are cash cows. And that is the main reason why they are being installed. In fact ADT gets a cut, as do the councils and the operator. Get the roads fixed and stop toxic fumes , and that will be a good start for better driving.

Jimmy Magro

Feb 23rd 2009, 14:55

For those good Samaritans and crocodile tears saying that if (and really IF) a baby or whoever dies through a speeding car, Joseph Muscat has to blame, Then we should stop construction (the sector with the highest fatal accidents), diving, swimming (we have about ten fatalities every year), carnival (yesterday a young man entered hospital), fireworks, dissolve the army (a young man just lost his life) and continue like this.


Take a look at the statisitics provided by the same ADT and you will read that in six major road networks Malta had two fatal accidents in four years. Is this a crisis to fill Malta's roads with speed cameras.

SPEED CAMERAS ARE A DIRECT TAX ON THE MALTESE PEOPLE. SPEED CAMERAS ARE A CASH COW FOR THE WARDENS COMPANIES.

Alfred Baldacchino

Feb 23rd 2009, 14:49

Speed cameras encourage drivers to crawl on the road, posing graver danger than average speeding vehicles do. Most accidents are caused by vehicles overtaking slow moving ones. Accordingly speed cameras should be calibrated to fine crawling vehicles alongside those overspeeding .

Duncan Sant

Feb 23rd 2009, 14:21

I am not against speed cameras or speed limits, but these must be set at a speed which is not ridiculous for the type of road. Example, what is difference between Mriehel bypass and Tal-barrani? Both are dual carriageways and both are non-urban. So why is one an 80kph limit and the other 60kph?
If the ADT is after safer roads, it should do 2 things:
1. repair roads so that the drivers' main attention is not avoiding potholes but driving carefully
2. install cameras at traffic lights. These are the true danger spots. How many times have we seen vehicles passing lights when red, only because it is dark, or low traffic conditions, or because there is a lot of traffic and they assume they can jump the ligths as the other drivers have no-where to go?

Adrian Cardona

Feb 23rd 2009, 14:14

@ D Zammit
ADT sets up speed cameras after being asked to by the local councils regional sub-committees.

Joseph Galea

Feb 23rd 2009, 14:00

"The Labour Party was totally in favour of road safety but it was ridiculous to set the speed cameras at a limit lower than the national limit which now stood at 80km/hr..."

To simply state that the national limit of 80km/hr should prevail everywhere is disingenuous! If ADT can show that the speed has been lowered and cameras installed because of its studies of the specific road conditions and accident characteristics of those areas then politicians should be supporting the Authority rather than making political capital out of it. If ADT has not done its studies, then it should do so before taking such steps to avoid the accusations of arbitrariness.

Josette Cardona

Feb 23rd 2009, 13:47

the speed limit for speed cameras should be 80 and not 60.

Vincent Pace

Feb 23rd 2009, 13:23

The public will never get any efficiency from ADT., except when it comes to rob us from our money. How much of our road tax has gone to repairing the roads, and save us some money from the extra maintenance and repairs we have to do on our cars.Their arrogance is everywhere.. They donot care about the roads, TOXIC BUS FUMES, and now the unprofessionality of speed camera usage.. Recently questions were raised as to why ADT has an executive chairman, a chief executive officer and an a chairman of roads section, with ridiculous salaries. We have been waiting a year for the proverbial re-structuring and all we have seen is dismantling. Its really a case of too many chiefs and not enough indians, with the chiefs all sucking our taxes and not accountable to anyone. letters to the Times, including 5 last week are completely ignored. That is called arrogance of the first degree. It must be contagious from the top down. The ultimate responsibility for damages, or worse still accidents on arterial roads remain with the ADT, now they think speedcameras are the answer. SHAME ON THEM.

Joseph Cauchi

Feb 23rd 2009, 13:14

As far as I know, most of the speed-cameras, which are already installed and those that will be installed shortly, are in arterial roads. Arterial roads are the responsibility of ADT only; and therefore Local Councils have no jurisdiction on these roads.

However, Local Councils only take a small percentage of the monies collected from these speed-cameras while the bulk of the monies go to the operators of this system, i.e. Guard & Warden!

So the final decision to install these cameras falls mainly on ADT if the viability and feasibility studies warrant such installations!

What people are objecting is not the installation of speed-cameras per se, but the lowering of the national speed limit of 80 km/hr to the ridiculous speed of 60 km/hr, on arterial roads built purposely to take such traffic at such speeds!

As already stated by the real experts that these speed-cameras are nothing more than CASH-TRAPS, is accurate!

This matter is not mainly for “Road-Safety” but for the system to render enough revenue to justify the investment involved by the operators!

../..

Joseph Agius

Feb 23rd 2009, 12:01

what an immature and mediocre way to do politics. He will soon tell us that we should not pay taxes in order to make us happy!....thank God children do not vote cause he would tell them that they would not have to go school anymore...just for their votes!

m abela

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:55

This is ridiculous. Perhaps the Gov wants to address the quick deterioration of Malta's roads so that the low speeds would slow down the road's disintegration.
But in any case this is a poor strategy and indicative of the 'drag your feet as long as you can' that has become typical of this Government. So the Gov can fine us if we go too fast but can we fine the Gov if we go too slow on bad roads such as the Zurrieq main road, Rabat ring roads, msida, sliema ... and on we go!
Can the administration please wake up from their slumber!

M Callus

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:37

Unfortunately Joseph Muscat is proving himself worse than Alfred Sant, that is more of the same.

Remember Alfred Sant against Local council party involvement-u-turn, anti-vat u-turn and the biggest u-turn of all, EU membership. Joseph Muscat is doing the same and running on people's discontent in several matters such as the St. John's Cathedral project and now the newly installed speed cameras.

M. Catania

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:30

@Parnis England

Do you know the number of people who died in tal-Barrani road? There are quite a couple and I can assure you that some of them have been quite horrific.

C borg

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:17

@ Joe Vella (Melleiha)
can you pl substantiate with facts what you just said, that the speed was the cause of the accident you are referring to? Also tell us what the road conditions and other factors were like.

It is obviious that your input was meant to redicule the PL leader with your one sided blinkers and not to shed tears.

Being on the subject of road safety, why don't you ask your Mellieha mayor about the dug up main road which has been left lying unattended for the best of 4 weeks and the hazards it presents?

george xuereb

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:17

@ Psaila and Joe Vella in Mellieha.

I really think you should read the article before you make any remarks. it seems that because Dr Muscat has mentioned the speed camera saga in his speech you only see as far as the colour of your nose (blue).pathetic

Dr Muscat said people should only be fined if they go past the 80-kilometre mark or else the government should lower the speed limit to 60 in line with the cameras

if you want to lower the speed limits; then you must amend the hightway code. period!!

http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/HighwaycodeEng/part7E.asp

272.


Cars and motorcycles built up areas. 50Km/h other areas 80Km/h

273. These are absolute maximum speeds, but there are numerous situations where prudence demands a lower speed in view of road surface and configuration, weather conditions, traffic density and presence of pedestrians or other hazards.

if you have time.. surf the below website for some intelligent discussion.

http://www.speedcameras.org/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1105689/The-1m-year-motorway-speed-camera-CAUSING-accidents.html

Anthony Briffa

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:12

Where is the new way of doing politics? With every speech he makes, Joseph Muscat is showing that he is just another labour leader ready to gain political mileage out of everything. He keeps harping on the now defunct St. John’s project after riding on FAA’s back by presenting a motion in parliament at a point when its pressure in the media was going at full blast. Yesterday he dedicated part of his Sunday speech to the speed cameras, which is nothing but an administrative and not a political measure. Joseph Muscat is still living in times gone by when the ministers used to decide what type of toothpaste we use and what brand of tuna we eat.

Kenneth Busuttil

Feb 23rd 2009, 11:03

Good morning everyone.

Keeping in mind that the national speed limit (maximum) is 80km/hr, I totally agree with Joseph Muscat that the cameras could have been set accordingly. I can assure all citizens and foreigners that the Qormi Local Council did not decide about the speed limit. It was set by the authorities.

On a personal note, referring to the present cameras in Qormi, I do not agree with the present speed limit, that is of 60km/hr. I think that it could have been set at a higher speed.

Kenneth Busuttil
Qormi Deputy Mayor

D Gauci

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:58

@ M Psaila

did you read the article or stopped at the headlines? Read the following line:

"Dr Muscat said people should only be fined if they go past the 80-kilometre mark or else the government should lower the speed limit to 60 in line with the cameras."

Did Dr Muscat say anything against safety or against being inconsistent in speed limits??

Nahseb inti kont qieghed gallarija siehbi.

S V Dimech

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:55

I cant understand this. Normally the majority of the people are against speed cameras. Now because Dr Muscat aired his views, people are saying they are in favour!! Does it mean that whatever Dr Muscat says were against?? Pls be consistent i your views.

Tony Gaffiero

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:54

Now that the PL has declared its position on the cameras, the issue has become political. Electors can therefore assume that PL local councillors and MPs are against the cameras as installed and the new speed limit. It is now imperative that the PN also informs the electorate of its position. The government has, till now, declared that the decision has been taken by "experts". But political responsibility will remain the government's since we live in a democracy based on universal voting rights. The ADT is not responsible to the electors. Only the government is.

D Zammit

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:45

@ A Cardona

Before you jot down please get facts right. No council set speed limits. It's the ADT who does!! Just for your info. If you still don't accept the fact phone ADT.

M Psaila

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:40

INKREDIBBLI KIF DAN JOSEPH JIPPROVA JIEHU VANTAGG POLITIKU MINN KOLLOX...

VERA MOD IMMATUR TA' KIF ISSIR IL-POLITIKA!!!

IL-PROBABILTA HI LI JEKK, ALLA HARES QATT, ISIR INCIDENT FATALI U MA JKUNX HEMM SPEED CAMERA JOHROG JGHID 'IMISSU JISTHI L-GVERN LI MA JAGHTIX KAZ TAS-SIGURTA TAN-NIES FIT-TOROQ'

IMMA ISSA, GHAX JAF LI L-ISPEED CAMERAS OVVJAMENT MHUMIEX POPOLARI (ANKE JEKK MEHTIEGA GHAS-SIGURTA' TAGHNA U TA ULIEDNA) ALLURA JOHROG U JIKKRITIKOM HALLI N-NIES JARAW HELU!

POLITIKA TAL-GALLARIJA FIL-VERU SENS TAL-KELMA!!

Norbert Camilleri

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:14

It looks that Gonzi wants cash in hand

So if it is right why the GRTU then is backing him ?

Prosit Vince

keep it up

noel brincat

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:11

Can someone tell us the speed limit please

It looks that this governm ent is short of money

joe Mifsud

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:09

Joseph Joseph joseph

Can we please stop with all this

If joseph says yes you say no and if he says no you say yes

He is right and the GRTU is backing his issue . This is a new form of taxation

G. Parnis England

Feb 23rd 2009, 10:03

If the government were really concerned about safety on roads, it would install speed cameras in residential and pedestrian zones, where the lower speed limit is justified. Installing them on dual carriageways only adds to road congestion as cars are forced to drive more slowly. This in turn is increasing the amount of emissions from cars as they have to drive in a lower gear. The authorities have been very pourly advised and are hoping that we will just get used to the idea. This is another fiasco like the Swieqi traffic system which was changed a year or two ago. I cannot understand why on roads such as the Tal Barrani road, which is long, straight, well lit at night and with a central barrier, there is a need for a 60km speed limit. It is one of the few roads where you can actually enjoy driving in Malta. This is just another small pleasure being taken away from us.

Peter Montanaro

Feb 23rd 2009, 09:58

Speed camaras are there because some people have disregard to speed limits,and speed limits are there for the saftey for all.If people respect speed there will be no need for speed cameras,and if one is caught speeding should be fined.no aguments.Stop.I have been driving for 40years.I still have a clean bill.respect speed limits and pay no fines.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Feb 23rd 2009, 09:54

Ye, Joseph Muscat, tell that to a grieving mother who have just lost a child in a traffic accident cause by speeding.

Maltese roads are not build foro speeding, period. If you do not like to pay any speeding tickets, just obey the speeding limits like most abiding citizens do.

B.Borg

Feb 23rd 2009, 09:26

Yesterday I was driving trough the tunnels, my speed was being indicated at almost 60Km/h, when a SUV past by at a much higher speed, only to slowdown rapidly at the very end of the tunnels. That is the safety, ADT intended?
Few meters ahead there is one of Malta’s worst black spots with a speed limit of 40Km/h, hardly you find who adhere to. If it was for safety the camera should be placed there.

Joe Cordina

Feb 23rd 2009, 09:20

An in depth study by true professionals should be carried out and results published, this should be followed by a parliamentary debate and only then should a decision be made on speed regulations and changes. In this manner we would rest assured that any changes in speed limits and other traffic regulations are formulated without any hidden agenda.

Charles Micallef

Feb 23rd 2009, 09:07

I AM ALL IN FAVOUR OF THE SPEED CAMERAS, AND HOPE THAT MORE ARE FITTED ESPECIALLY ON QAWRA SEAFRONT ROAD, BUT LET US BE FAIR AND ADJUST THE SPEED LIMITS BACK TO THE MINIMUM NATIONAL AVERAGE........................................

THEY SHOULD SAVE LIVES AND NOT FRUSTRATE DRIVERS?

Adrian Cardona

Feb 23rd 2009, 08:52

Will PL candidates in the forthcoming council elections confirm in writing that they will put the limits back to 80km/hr in the areas where they are elected? Whoever does so will have my vote, from whatever party.