Drivers too young to die

A survey has found that the majority of parents are in favour of having tough rules for their children during their first years behind the wheel. They are in favour of a night-time curfew and a lower drink-drive limit, according to research for UK road safety charity BRAKE.

Research among the parents polled suggested 94 per cent would back the introduction of restrictions, including a limit on the number of passengers allowed. September’s research found 84 per cent said they would buy technology that prevented their child from speeding if it were available and affordable while a further 96 per cent said they had spoken to their son or daughter about the importance of safe and legal driving.

More than one in four parents believe their son or daughter has driven after drinking alcohol, while more than 40 per cent said they thought their child drove while using a handheld phone to call or text. BRAKE is using the research in a campaign Too Young To Die, aimed at highlighting the death toll among young people on the roads and is lobbying the government to introduce “graduated driver licensing” to allow new drivers to build up experience over time while limiting exposure to potentially risky situations.

Parents of young drivers are worried and rightly so – a horrifying number of road deaths and serious injuries (resulting in permanent maiming) involve young people – but there are things that can be done. It is vital that youngsters are told in graphic details about the risks of driving and crucial steps like staying within speed limits, never driving after drinking alcohol, and ensuring that they and their passengers always wear safety belts. One suggestion is that graphic illustrations and animation would be used during the driving test before any licence is issued.

Another important factor is the type of car they should be allowed to drive. It is proposed that during the first five years of their driving experience, youngsters should not drive any car which exceeds 1300cc. The study also suggests that parents will be held responsible if their child steals the family car. The car keys should be guarded properly on the same basis as fire arms. After all a car is as lethal as any weapon!

Could Transport Malta and the respective ministry kindly declare if such actions will ever be taken in Malta?

Come to that why does Malta not have any mobile patrols to truly control traffic and minimise contraventions. Transport Malta seems to rely solely on the traffic wardens whose sole aim is to tax motorists for the slightest parking contraventions while ignoring the state of anarchy on our roads.