Sedqa, through its medical officer, has recently suggested that drug use should be decriminalised. I would like to contrast this with its recent pressures to reduce the legal drink-drive alcohol limit (and to introduce random breathalyser tests for drivers) thus effectively criminalising alcohol use by drivers. Recent correspondence in the national papers also suggests introducing raised zebra crossings and rub strips across the Qormi bypass, rather than crash barriers to prevent drivers crashing into poles should they lose control of their vehicle.

I would like to reflect on this fascinating negative attitude towards people who drive cars. Why is it that some of us think that a crash barrier saving the life of a driver, who may lose control of his or her car for any reason, is a waste of money, but on the other hand a speed camera or sleeping policeman across a main thoroughfare is a good investment? Why this disdain for road users? Are car drivers not people, too?

Why is Sedqa not advocating drug and alcohol tests in other areas instead, such as at the workplace? Would you like your airline pilot to be under the influence, or the crane operator working next to your home?

Let us not forget that the great majority (two thirds in various countries) of fatal road accidents are not alcohol related. Of the minority that are, I would argue that the great majority are well over the current drink-drive limit.

The current system would work, if it were implemented properly. Thus, this campaign to introduce random testing with low thresholds to criminalise road users will not be effective, and will eventually become yet another tax.

The attitude of many Maltese, even so-called traffic experts, against roadside barriers is unfathomable.

I commend the government in resisting pressure to introduce random alcohol testing and arbitrary thresholds, and commend the introduction of road-side barriers to improve the safety of roads for all users.