Emission testing has to be taken seriously - FAA
The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) betrayed people's trust when it ignored people's text messages reporting emissions, the environmental organisation Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) said.
It said it was about the consequences of ADT's poor performance on street pollution adding that motivation to send such reports had been severely undermined. Apologies were not enough to limit the damage arising out of this mistake.
"Had this incident not yet been revealed, it still would have been clear that ADT is not giving enough importance to the serious health implications of the avoidable pollution in our streets.
"The fact that smoke emitted by diesel-driven vehicles is highly toxic is now common knowledge.
"It has now been scientifically proven beyond doubt that exposure to traffic pollution, especially the fine particulate fraction in diesel exhaust, is responsible for premature death from a number of causes including heart attacks, cancer and lung diseases. "Malta has one of the highest ever recorded rates of asthma and this is almost certainly due to our pollution. Recent evidence has strengthened the case against 'particulates' which are a major component of pollution from diesel engines.
"ADT has much to answer for, as long as the unacceptable threat to heath is allowed to continue. ADT must now take assertive steps to remedy the situation by decreasing our pollution more effectively," FAA said.
As for ADT's claims that emission testing was still being conducted on all vehicles including public transport buses, coaches, trucks and other heavy vehicles, the organisation said that if this was the case, results were still lacking.
"The situation has not improved at all. In fact the emission of black smoke by our buses seems to have intensified of late. This is strongly indicative that there is something seriously wrong in the reporting system, or, more likely, that emission testing is being conducted incorrectly, or being rendered useless by vehicle owners who tamper with their engines or adulterate their fuel and then simply put things temporarily right when the vehicle is due for testing."
FAA said it found it difficult to understand how police and traffic wardens - whose duty was to enforce the law - maintained that it was not their duty to take any corrective action against vehicles which were blatantly polluting the air in front of supposedly vigilant eyes.
It insisted that the time had come to empower traffic wardens and the police to enforce the law in respect of polluting vehicles. Vehicles emitting visible smoke should be taken off the road or sent for an immediate inspection without allowing any chance to readjust their engine and replace adulterated fuel with diesel fuel.
FAA also felt it would be appropriate if the Health Department took on an active role in reducing traffic induced pollution on Malta's streets.
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B Sant
Jul 11th 2009, 23:19
i wonder if ADT is also ignoring the photos taken by the ridiculous speed cameras - shame on these daylight robbers
Alexandra Borg
Jul 11th 2009, 22:02
It is so convenient to blame ADT. That the Emissions Alert system was sidelined because it was someone else`s idea is never mentioned
Adrian Wirth
Jul 11th 2009, 21:23
Come on, get real - we all know Malta signs up to any grant funding programme, E.U., U.N., W.H.O., U.N.E.S.C.O., after-all we all know no one would afford the cost of taking legal action against a small, periferal, below par ecomically performing state. Think of any commitment we as a nation have accepted and name one obligation that we have implemented fully, completely and in accordance with the accepted quality performance standards. We are unfortunately gaining a reputation as a 'gimme, gimme' state. What perhaps might be interesting to know is just where are the received environment funding streams being spent. As with MEPA reform where are the words 'transparency', 'openess' and 'treacability' in environment matters whether with ADT, MEPA, Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Anyone noticed how public administration web sites have become significantly less user friendly recently. Public Servants have learn't how to hide behind the self-protection of the 'data protection act' reducing the accessibility of the public that was enjoyed just three years ago. Government policy change perhaps or just public servants and agencies taking advantage of the remoteness of an increasingly introverted administration?
g. scerri
Jul 11th 2009, 19:27
Folks, instead of complaining, put all your resources together, buy a plot in a nice green area far away from the fast track of life and enjoy it. That is what all our elites are doing. There's more to it than keeping up with your social rivals. They want their children to grow up healthy.
charles
Jul 11th 2009, 19:24
Its true, public transport buses are really outdated, and they should be considered good for scrap especially those which release alot of Carbon Dioxide behind unless serious actions are taken by the police. Drivers should be kept responsible and if the law is not observed they should be heavily fined or make them loose their job. At times you hardly see a police action at all. Action is always taken the easiest way, where seatbelts and parking are concerned not even mobiles or smoking.....
David Pisani
Jul 11th 2009, 19:07
Enforcement in Malta does not exists. Thats because of lack of political will to address such matters. Its not only a matter of ADT. The worst is that public transport buses are one of the main polluters. Trucks and crane also.
Anthony Roberts
Jul 11th 2009, 18:59
It is very true about the increase in asthma as I myself am a sufferer and breathing in the toxic fumes that are emitted from lorries and buses puts me in a bad state. I do sometimes open my window in the front of the house, but you will see me running to close it again five minutes later as the fumes are just unbearable.
Marie Roberts
John Pace
Jul 11th 2009, 18:55
ADT has lost its face with its own actions.
So their primary concern is only to collect licences and fines.
We were also made to belief that the recent increases in the cost of vehicle licences was to make good for pollution. It is now obvious that this is not the case!!
alan cox
Jul 11th 2009, 18:18
I fully agree with all comments that have been sent in.Surely if one was to ask every man in the street all would agree.It´s a simple choice between illnesses and stopping these cars buses and trucks that do not pass a random test on the roads as done in other foreign countries. Cancer ,asthma and other cronic illnesses are on the rise in .Malta leads this table in the EU. Why not be sensible put politics aside for once and stop this malaise.We all gain from it.Make Malta clean and keep it that way.Ok there will people moaning and cursing the goverment., but when it comes to being healthy I know what I would rather choose. Go politicians do Malta a good turn have courage , if the law is broken go down hard and confiscate these vehicles people will thank you for it.
D Fenech
Jul 11th 2009, 18:09
I do not know whether there is an ADT Roadside Test vehicle near Bulebel. However I suggest on along the road from St George's bay Bugia along the Tal- Barrani road with special emphasis on the Zejtun area.
The majority are law abiding vehicles but those who belt out the fumes do so with gusto!
As for Tower Road Sliema words do not suffice!
t. gatt
Jul 11th 2009, 18:07
everyone is blaming the ADT for the polution on our streets, but no one is blaming enemalta for the low grade fuel supplied at a high cost for the customer
joseph farrugia
Jul 11th 2009, 18:04
and whos going to test the government? power stations? etc etc. always talking about cars and everybody seems to forget the national disasters...power stations in malta.
John Demanuele
Jul 11th 2009, 17:59
Most days I only drive about ten to 15 Km yet I practically always see black smoke issuing from the exhaust pipe of diesel fueled cars.
Lately I have been seeing so many that it got me wondering whether the imported fuel is up to standard.
Nowadays I only text when the black cloud makes it almost impossible to see the number plate.
Charles Sammut
Jul 11th 2009, 17:46
If the ADT were to enforce emission regulations, we would end up without public transport, haulage and taxis.
The ADT is simply Awtorita Dwar it-Taxxi.
Mario Desira
Jul 11th 2009, 17:42
Allow me add that nose and eyes are sufficient to detect these health hazards roaming our roads, specialist equipment is not exactly essential for their detection........ask anyone driving behind a vehicle belching acrid black smoke.......and what about some old buses why are they still running instead of being dismantled long ago. ADT is also dragging its feet on numerous bus drivers who smoke with people on board........a problem known for a long time and still going on as usual............
Get some plain clothes personel to check these abuses and you can be sure of a windfall of fines in the first few months...............
m muscat
Jul 11th 2009, 17:40
Uncontrolled emissions are an important cause of cancer and this is no joke.
The control of emissions in Malta and ADT are a joke.
Simply driving and seeing ( and smelling) what comes out of some cars and buses etc is enough.
It's a shame that this is happening and someone should report this to the EU.
perhaps one of our MEPs?
victor vella
Jul 11th 2009, 17:24
I do not understand what FAA is barking about,is this a case like when some organisations where fighting against the introduction of aluminium windows doors and balconies?and then most of the persons involved had these said items installed in their homes?enpowering wardens to report excessive emission is tantamount to not being able to drive a diesel powered car in the south of Malta where wardens issue charges without issueing tickets, and the authorities who know about this don't care, I have yet to see the ADT roadside test vehicle doing tests somewhere in the north of Malta, but it is a permanent fixture near Bulebel industrial estate.Come on guys get real.John Bundy should have a memorial placed near Castille for his song.
m azzopardi
Jul 11th 2009, 17:14
I agree apologies are simply not enough. I think the best system to control the emissions would be to give power to the traffic police and wardens. A good example is the seat-belt law... everybody wears the seat belt becuase nobody wants a fine!!!
J Oatmon
Jul 11th 2009, 17:11
ADT like MEPA is just a sham totally without a sense of professional acountability and respect for the public.
One wonders what other supposedly 'professional goavernment groups' are either, plainly incompetent, too lazy to do their job, or otherwise useless?
What about the secrecy surounding the 'justice system' and the usual system of suspended sentences - are these just another example of minimum work and taking the easy way out?
The government has shown it is unable to monitor it's own 'professional goavernment groups' - let alone improve them - it's all very Mickey Mouse.
N.Azzopardi
Jul 11th 2009, 17:08
Is there any telephone number where one can call to report such polluting vehicles ??
A Azzopardi
Jul 11th 2009, 16:56
How many times has the ADT let the country down? Shame. Heads shold have rolled long ago.
J Azzzopardi
Jul 11th 2009, 16:38
To ADT : It take years to build a good reputation and a second to break it