Sedqa calls for zero tolerance to drinking and driving

Joseph Ellul-Sydney

Aug 12th 2009, 05:04

Pease note that most of the offenders are in the younger age. Education in schools is not enough , this has to be backed by parents and the social system. The most worrying factor is that these days most young people have lost faith in our social attitude. We are telling our young ones that any money they save can be stolen by the banks etc.. Today they have a job and the next they are on their own. There is no trust and no future. This is a reason for getting off their head in whichever way they can. This is happening all over the world and we are all suffering, but the younger generation always seem to react offensively. There is no quick fix. Only hard work and education can change the offenders.

Ruby Jenner

Aug 11th 2009, 23:22

Malta really has to get tough on drink driving. In UK few people would take the risk as the minimum mandatory sentence for a first offence is 1 year disqualification and a fine of around £400. I also agree with someone who commented on the public transport here in Malta with the bus service finishing very early and taxi's very expensive. Some of the weddings I have attended have arranged mini buses to take guests home which is a great idea so everyone can enjoy themselves.

Malcolm Jones

Aug 11th 2009, 20:09

Did someone say O- Zero tolerance, they don't know the meaning of that here,, you must elaborate a bit more my Maltese friend before it sinks in their tiny little mind.
Mal.Jones (Britain).

vfarrugia

Aug 11th 2009, 19:40

J Oatmon, you can see the glass as half empty or as half full. I doubt that the bars would lose custom, it's the taxi companies which stand to gain.

Warren Magro

Aug 11th 2009, 16:02

If we actually had some form of decent public transportation, then maybe people will use it instead of drink driving. Of course in Malta we will never know.

J oatmon

Aug 11th 2009, 15:49

In my view there is no chance the police will get tough with drink driving in Malta, because if they did half the clubs in Paceville would have to close down (no customers), and that means lots of money lost.

If they were serious the police could set up road blocks every night around Paceville and catch many drunken drivers - have you ever seen that happen, of course not.

Peter Korsten

Aug 11th 2009, 12:54

Zero tolerance is useless without enforcement. As long as you hardly ever see a police car on the road, let alone be stopped for a random breathalyser test, it's useless.

And the comments of Sedqa seem primarily aimed at youngsters, whereas one only has to go to a wedding or a private party to see that the older generation sees absolutely no problem in drinking and driving. When I first came here and would be offered a drink, and I said "no thanks, I still have to drive", people would look at me in total incomprehension.

Paul Barrett

Aug 11th 2009, 12:48

One point not covered here is that even if you don't "drink and drive" during a night out, it takes time for the alcohol to be fully absorbed and many drivers may unwittingly still be under the influence when driving the next morning.
Another unfortunate effect of ALGOL is not only the slowing down of reaction but the building of confidence and thus a driver is likely to take more risks than normal.
A very heavy increase in the use of compulsory random road side breath test should be instigated.
If the test proves positive, drivers should be taken for a blood test. Failure of the blood test or a refusal of the blood test should be taken as an admission of guilt and an automatic and immediate 12 month driving ban enforced on that driver with a fine of not less that Euro 1000.

D.Fenech

Aug 11th 2009, 12:07

It is not just the youths that are overdrinking.
Weddings have become another great venue where people are seen getting themselves absolutely plastered. They make sure that they get their gifts worth in drinks.
A wedding reception lasts at least four hours with open bars. Most people at that wedding would be well over the drink and drive limit. You see people being assisted to their car and driving away. Surely wedding halls should display signs advising against drinking and driving. If we were serious about the issue, a policeman equipped with a breathyliser should be present by law for every wedding exceeding say 50 guests.

Chrissey Zammit

Aug 11th 2009, 11:42

WHY !! encouraged young people to get involved in healthy leisure activities, as far as I can see in Malta it is the older generation who get drunk THEN drive, as well as youngsters. Educate the elders so they can educate the youngsters. Hit them where it hurts in their POCKETS. The message is clear "IF YOU DRINK YOU DONT DRIVE" dont take a chance

Aishwarya Maya

Aug 11th 2009, 11:32

Sedqa really need to come out and "make some noise". It is extremely worrying how it is in fashion that Maltese youth get completely wasted every weekend. This cannot be healthy, in the long run it will cause permanent damage and I'm sure most youth don't know how hazardous this lifestyle is. Malta needs a formal education in alcohol and better law enforcements. No alcohol for underage youths and no drinking and driving. These youths will be the leaders of tomorrow, Malta will definitely go downhill with such leaders.

g hoare

Aug 11th 2009, 11:29

I agree with sedqa totaly , the danger of alcohol and driving, it is about time that the police patrol for breathelizing on the spot . we need to increase on spot check not only during the christmas festivities , also at the village freasts. alot of people drink more then the limit in Malta and drive ,some people come out of some pubs at 4am 5am 7am stuggiling to stand on thier feet yet they get in a car and drive , i see this night and day .I think it is time we tighten the security on our roads. I am an adult and refuse to ride with anyone that have been drinking , but what choicehave the children got when they are in the car with parents that are under the influence of alcohol. STOP AND THINK DON'T DRIVE

saviour attard

Aug 11th 2009, 11:16

What about the breathilizer test? Why was this idea put under the carpet? Was there any pressure from some quarters to do away with it?