Stiffer fines for people who do not wear seatbelts
Drivers and passengers who fail to wear a seatbelt will soon have to pay stiffer fines as the government attempts to clamp down on offenders.
Between January and mid-October, police and wardens issued 10,173 citations for seatbelt offences. Most of these, 9,359, involved drivers, but 462 applied to passengers and 352 to children.
In view of these figures, the government is considering introducing tougher punishments for offenders.
The review of fines will also cover motorists who use their mobile phones while driving and will target those who discard objects from their vehicle.
In the UK, motorists caught talking on their mobile phone or sending a text message while driving could be jailed. In the most serious cases they are charged with dangerous driving, which carries a two-year maximum jail sentence and an unlimited fine.
In Malta, fines are negligible in comparison. Drivers, passengers and children fall into the same category and the maximum fine is €58. The same maximum fine is imposed for people caught using their mobile phone while driving.
Ironically, the fine doubles to €116 for motorists who drive on a reserved lane, such as a bus lane.
Statistics show that Malta has the lowest death rate from traffic accidents. With a fatality rate of 25 deaths per million of the population, Malta tops the table as the safest country, followed by the Netherlands with 45 deaths and Sweden with 49 fatalities.
But despite these figures, with more than 300,000 cars on Malta's roads, traffic accidents are numerous.
In 2008, a total of just over 15,000 traffic accidents were reported. Between January and last September, there were 10,515 recorded accidents.
41 Comments
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Mr Vince Cachia
Aug 22nd 2011, 18:01
Some cars have seat belts not long enough to go round a fat person. Others like mine you cannot even put a bag on the front seat because it does not stop warning you to fasten your seat belt even if it is only a bag on the front seat!!!
Joss Galea
Nov 3rd 2009, 13:19
I really wish that fines regarding driving should be more harsh. Some drivers are reallyi inconsiderate and putting in danger their lives and the lives of others.
smifsud
Nov 3rd 2009, 09:37
@alex summut .......well i think the point is that when you don't wear seat belts you become a liability to the rest of the country by effecting Health care cost,Car insurance rates go up , your taxing hospital staff by being a potentially preventable casualty its a good thing to wear you seat belts ...full stop!.
Mark Evans
Nov 2nd 2009, 14:10
@@@@@Steve Elliot@@@@ Yes you hit the nail smack on my fellow country man, i witnessed such behaviour quite often on Maltese Buses, i have a picture that i pass round the factory where i work to prove it, i would like to comment on all my mate's reaction to the famous Maltese drivers,ours are not perfect by no means but your lot takes the cherry on the cake. Have a nice life?
Vanessa Bonnici
Nov 2nd 2009, 12:50
352 to children - OMG how can parents not strap their kids in !!!!!!!!
Our children's welfare should be our number 1 priority - What is wrong with people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 2nd 2009, 11:49
@ Alex Sammut:
"But I was never able to understand the logic behind fines charged to adult drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts. If a driver does not wear his seat belt, it is HIS life that will be more at risk in case of an accident, an no-one else's".
You're missing an important fact. If the person not wearing a seat belt gets injured in an accident, it is the tax payer who pays the bills of hospitalisation.
John Muscat
Nov 2nd 2009, 11:11
Sorry for my 'off-topic' comment...however I cannot but note that the word 'CITATIONS' is completely wrong in this context!!! A citation is a reference from a textbook, article, etc, and not a fine! Instead a 'Contravention Note' would be the appropriate term in this case.
Peter Korsten
Nov 2nd 2009, 09:42
Excellent. The fine should be at least €500.
For those who are crying that this is a government scheme to rake in more money, wake up. Not wearing a seatbelt means far greater injuries in case of an accident. And since we have free healthcare in this country, I'm basically paying for the medical costs of those idiots who don't wear seatbelts, whether in the front or the back of the car, plus for their social security because they are no longer capable of working.
Honestly, I do think my axes can be spent better than on people who, out of sheer ignorance or stupidity, don't strap up, and don't put their children in proper child seats.
But, as mentioned before, stiffer fines mean nothing without enforcement. As long as the government would rather pay for monuments to themselves in Valletta than investing in the police force, nothing will change.
And no, Malta is not a safe country to drive. If you take the short distances into consideration, which is always conveniently forgotten, the picture changes completely.
As I was typing this, there were screeching tyres outside...
Doris Borg
Nov 2nd 2009, 09:34
@ those who think you have the right not to wear seat belts. Kindly note that research confirms that many passengers suffered serious consequences and in many cases fatal injuries from other occupants who did not bother to belt up. So the perception that "its only me who suffers if I do not wear a seat belt" does not hold any water. A collection of educational videos found at http://roadcraftdrivingschool.webs.com/apps/videos/ confirm these results. Even if alone, why should we endanger emergency response personnel to extricate us from the wreckage? And what about those we leave behind? One has to also consider the airbag issue which is ONLY safe if accompanied by a worn seat belt and a safe distance. Otherwise it could prove fatal. I always failed to understand why everyone buckles up on an aircraft, where it is less dangerous, and then find it so hard to wear a seat belt in a car. Safety should not even be a topic to discuss as it should be an automatic priority for all.
Neville Debattista
Nov 2nd 2009, 09:08
@ Joanna Ripard. Another penalty kick against the ever smiling and much lucky maltese worker.
KPCauchi
Nov 2nd 2009, 06:52
Ppl you have to stop being immature!
You all post here to take in on each other like babies!
But when someone asks an important question like Jeremy Lanfranco did, no one answers.
His question was: BY LAW do you have to wear seat belts on the back seat... ide like to know as well
H. Joseph
Nov 1st 2009, 23:40
People using mobile phones, not wearing seat belts you want and try and come to Gozo my Maltese friends your government will make a fortune in fines., last but not least speeding outside their own lanes especially the Mgarr road leading to the ferry, i suppose tring to make it in time, very dangerous situation indeed and deadly. More road Patrol thats whats needed in Gozo then perhaps people will yet live another day.
charles zammit
Nov 1st 2009, 21:04
another excuse to raise fines by a cash starved government. if after all these years that using a seatbelt has been compulsery we are still having people not caring a hoot about using a seatbelt or not, it is obvious that the fines system has failed drastically. we should try and emend this by educational campains and not by increasing fines.
Mario Tabone
Nov 1st 2009, 19:43
The whole system needs a total revamp.
In the UK anybody caught using a mobile while driving gets a fine and 3 points on the licence. An accumulation of points over a period of time results in an automatic one year ban.
A driver not wearing a seat belt gets a fine. The driver of a vehicle is responsible for his front seat passenger and rear seat passengers if they are not adults. Any adult rear seat passenger can get a fine if they are found not wearing a seat belt.
There are few exemptions like pregnant females who need to have a doctors certificate in order to not wear a belt.
If a person is found to have caused an accident resulting in death while using a phone he/she can be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving which carries a long prison sentence.
Drink driving is an automatic one year ban or more depending on what the intoxilisor reading is.
Above all we need to make sure that all new drivers know the highway code before being let loose on our roads. How about a regular programme on TV about this subject ?
Jeremy Lanfranco
Nov 1st 2009, 19:39
@ Sarah Hull
You're 100% right! But I wanted to know if its compulsary or not. I was not interested in the outcome not buckling of the rear seatbelt! That was my question.
e frendo
Nov 1st 2009, 18:54
I agree wholeheartedly with stiffer fines re seatbelts and most of all mobile phones....but, on reflection...has anyone ever thought if these numerous billboards, the hundreds of advertising posters do constitute in fact a driving hazard?? What are they put up for? for reading of course ! Are they not a hazard to drivers, who surely must look at them..if not the picture (sometimes a bit naughty!)...then the details of concerts, special offers ect ect....Or is it because there is an income into the coffers...then they are legal..?...My opinion...they are there for looking at them...they are not put up near stop signs...so any driver who is passing by is having his vision diverted to the advertisment...In my humble opinion...they are a driving hazard...more care should be taken where they should be put up.
Anthony Roberts
Nov 1st 2009, 18:49
I was shocked to see a mother with two young children driving while one of them was sitting in the front leaning on the windscreen and the other balancing between the driver and passenger seats. If the mother had crashed her children would be dead in a second.
Sarah Hull
Nov 1st 2009, 18:47
@Jeremy Lanfranco
What a silly question??? Compulsary or not a child should always should be wearing a seatbealt in the back seat, unless you want your child to fly through the windscreen if there is an accident, if so just leave your child standing in the back between the two front seats. Thats what most people do!!
Maria Zammit
Nov 1st 2009, 17:20
If not wearing a seatbelt is fined €58 to prevent one from losong one's life how much should bus and minibus drivers carrying children and other passengers be fined? Where are the traffic police? The way some drivers take bends it's a wonder the vehicle doesn't topple over!
c. camilleri
Nov 1st 2009, 16:52
Stiffer fines alone do not solve problem of lawless driving. Enforcing them is the problem. In the past when cars on our roads were a fraction of present day we used to have traffic policemen patrolling our main roads. Now we only have the presence traffic policemen in early morning guarding our traffic islands.
Jeremy Lanfranco
Nov 1st 2009, 16:38
Can somebody please clarify if the wearing of seatbelts for passengers and children in the rear seat of a family car is compulsory by law?
Joe Morana
Nov 1st 2009, 15:42
Agree with Joseph Tonna. Smoking in public places is rampant eg. in the Paceville area whereby non smoking youngsters are exposed to hazardous cigarette fumes in discos etc.
Regrettably car noise pollution enforcement it is practically non exisitent.
Furthermore, one also wonders wether the Police and ADT are willing and/or have the right equipment to enforce the relevant Motor Vehicle Regulations. SHAME
clive borg
Nov 1st 2009, 14:47
@ mary Pace
for me people like you makes me want to,laugh or cry!!!!!
that think by putting in harsher penalties will result in less accidents, cos in this GZIRA everyone knows one another and it will result in, cos i know you i wont fine you - ie will still have the same result .... it will not improve on this island..
lgalea
Nov 1st 2009, 14:45
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20091030/hl_hsn/isthereabaddrivergene
Is There a 'Bad Driver' Gene?
A CAMILLERI
Nov 1st 2009, 14:41
AND WHEN WE WILL BEGIN ENFORCING THE LAW AGAINST DRIVERS WHO DO NOT USE THE INDICATORS? GO TO THE MRIEĦEL BY PASS AND YOU CAN SEE CRAZY DRIVERS OVERTAKING FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER WITHOUT ANY SIGN. AND NOT ONLY THIS, AT EVERY AND EACH ROUNDABOUT AND TURN YOU CAN SEE THIS ALL THE TIME.
LT Albert Falzon
Nov 1st 2009, 14:23
And who will fine the wardens and police officers that drive without seatbelt, drive and use mobile phones and even drive, use mobile phones and smoke while on duty.
michael fenech
Nov 1st 2009, 14:09
.
Dust from big trucks
Noise from cars silencers
Dangerous driving total disregard to traffic regulations.
Drivers using mobile phones.
Playing loud music through built-up areas till 1 and 2 AM.
Picking up the litter of their pets.
Drinking and driving.
Smoking in public places .
Litter in the streets and many more.
Reading these comments this morning made me feel like I’m living in a third world country with no control what so ever.
Can the authorities PLEASE do something to bring back some civilisation to this poor country of ours?
Alex Sammut
Nov 1st 2009, 13:59
I can understand the logic behind fines being charged to people who use their mobile phones while driving or driving on a reserved lane, these people are, respectively, affecting other people by being dangerous or disturbing traffic flow. But I was never able to understand the logic behind fines charged to adult drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts. If a driver does not wear his seat belt, it is HIS life that will be more at risk in case of an accident, an no-one else's. So why force them to wear it? In case of passengers who are minors, the argument obviously changes, since adults are responsible for minors. I wore my car seat belt from day one, long before it was obligatory, out of common sense. But in my opinion, no adult drivers and passengers should ever be forced by law to wear their seat belts, since they are responsible for their lives and actions, when not affecting others. Educate them yes, but NOT force them! I'm afraid it is just another easy way for a country's government to suck money from the voters.
victor pulis
Nov 1st 2009, 13:51
How about introducing a stiff fine for all those drivers who like to drive around in mobile discos? Some cars can be heard approaching from half a kilometre away. Imagine being in one of these cars and some other driver sounds his horn to attract your attention. This also constitutes dangerous driving as the driver's hearing is impaired. And qhat about the cars with tinted glass? Isn't it illegal in malta?
Charles Sammut
Nov 1st 2009, 13:13
Those who drive without wearing a seatbelt are only endangering themselves. By all means, enforce the law, but keep things in perspective. It is far more dangerous to hog the outside lane or change lanes without indicating. How many fines were issued for not using the indicators when turning? Nil.
The average speed on Maltese roads is about 30 - 35 kph. So, taking this into account, the fatality rate is horrendous. But yet again it is a matter of misinterpreting statistics.
Finally, it is time motorists started to stand up for their rights. The state of the roads, be it bad, faded or inexistent markings, potholes, slippery surface and downright poor design must be addressed.
I Abela
Nov 1st 2009, 12:59
Think about it .... "Malta has the lowest death rate from traffic accidents" .... yet .... "government is considering introducing tougher punishments for offenders" ..... and ..... "police and wardens issued 10,173 citations for seatbelt offences." .... Actually this seems just like another fundraising for this broke government.
steve elliott,uk
Nov 1st 2009, 12:46
What about the bus drivers who use there mobiles in one hand and with the other they are stopping luggage falling out of the bus while steering with there knees !! O I M
Claude Calleja
Nov 1st 2009, 12:42
On'e deliberate choice not to wear a seatbelt is negligence but does not constitute public nuisance as the other infrigements such as phoning while driving. This is simply a ploy to drive up traffic fines so that the wardens contractors are not getting an adequate portion and they want more. The revenues from speed cameras has possibly fallen now that motorists have got used to them and the Government is in motion to give these contractors a larger slice of the cake to make good for the loss in revenues.
david gulia
Nov 1st 2009, 12:30
Charity starts at home. ADT never mention how many accidents happen because of potholes on the roads.Come on, Mr Minister,be a gentleman, and give the maltese tax payers the the rights to onjoy the money worth of the car license they are paying to use good roads. where is the value for money?
Joseph Tonna
Nov 1st 2009, 12:28
People are still smoking in public places...where are the stiffer fines ? where are the police ?
When are we going to tackle noise pollution from cars silencers ?
And dust pollution coming out from the box of big trucks ?
G.Debono
Nov 1st 2009, 12:24
@Alex Right
You get it Wrong!
Statistics are saying that road death rate in Malta is low, and not that there aren't any drink drivers around. Of course you find those in all countries I suppose - don't you?
Nobody is saying that Maltese way of driving is not bad, cause it is. But statistically speaking, you'd be more prone to perish in major cities than to do so in Malta. Now whether that is any consolation for the victims' families of this year's fatalities is another point.
George Casha
Nov 1st 2009, 12:11
Raising fines for traffic violations is pointless when there is no one to enforce the laws. We see dangerous driving, total disregard to traffic regulations, noisy vehicles with no mufflers, drivers using mobile phones, cars playing loud music through builtup areas, and many more contraventions on everyday of our lives. Unless the Government gets the Police off their ass and onto our roads they can raise fines sky high for all I care because we shall always remain a pathetic jungle. The Government has a gold mine in fines if it had to enforce these laws but they never bother to do so. How stupid can that be ?
mary Pace
Nov 1st 2009, 12:06
@frank grech
people like you makes me want to,laugh or cry!!!!!
I'm 100% with the gov., the more stiff the fine will be the more happy I am, maybe just maybe people wil listen ,& wear the seatbelt & drive more carefully, especially, not use the mobile while driving!!!
Alex Right
Nov 1st 2009, 11:59
To bring up that Malta is the safest country in respect of deathrate and make it sound like its a safe country is a laugh.
Start do drink&drive tests every night outside paceville this is where the problem is, the safetybelt is a important part of driving but considering the average speed on the roads in Malta and the amount of deaths we have a horrible statistic.
How many of all accidents are alcohol related
At what time do they occur?
What is the average age?
Where do the accidents take place?
It would be great if Times of Malta could do an investigation and start do alcohol tests in the paceville, sliema st julian area and show where the police needs to start looking!
frank grech
Nov 1st 2009, 11:35
Another money raising racket for a cash strapped Government!!!!
D. Xerri
Nov 1st 2009, 11:33
What a false comparison - A person without seatbelt in danger of loosing his life gets fined 58 Euros while a person who smokes a cigarette gets fined 230 Euros. And how much fines are being given to thousands of Maltese persons that 3 or 4 times a day take their dog out to litter on our pavements and roads ? If You love Your dog than You have to love the environment and pick up the litter afterwards ! I doubt 10% of the Maltese maybe pick up the litter of their pets.