Various speed limits planned for different sizes of vehicles

The maximum speed on arterial roads could increase with varying limits depending on the vehicle’s size, according to a Transport Malta draft policy document.

Vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes will have a maximum speed limit of 50 kph in built-up areas and 80 kph outside.

The proposed limit for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 is 40 kph in built-up areas and 60 kph outside.

Vehicles towing caravans and trailers will have a limit of 20 kph in built areas and 30 kph outside.

No speed limit will be imposed on emergency vehicles and those on priority duty.

Called Speed Management On Maltese Road – Policy And Technical Guidance Manual, the consultation document will be discussed today in a conference organised by the transport watchdog. It was posted on the Transport Malta’s website this week.

A speed policy will provide technical guidance for policymakers, road designers, planners, road safety auditors, accident investigators and enforcement officers, among others. It will also provide an integrated, systematic framework for reducing road accidents and injuries while raising awareness about effective speed management.

The draft document argues that the definition of “built-up area” should be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the number of residences with direct access to the road, type and function and other safety considerations. Built-up areas would be appropriately signposted at all entry points. Among the proposals is a ban on horse-drawn vehicles and heavy vehicles with speed limits of less than 30 kph from using arterial roads. Industrial and agricultural vehicles, such as fork lifter trucks, would also be banned on arterial and distributor roads.

The policy also discusses better enforcement of the overtaking lane on certain dual carriageway roads.

A traffic accident takes place every 30 minutes on Maltese roads and, on average, three people are hurt every day, according to the report.

The highest recorded speed limits by traffic cameras were, in most cases, more than double the legal limit, the report notes.

In this regard, the policy recommends the setting up of an administrative and accreditation framework for mobile speed cameras. Sites for the installation, operation and or removal of fixed and mobile speed cameras will be determined by Transport Malta, which would also allow dummy speed cameras.

It also looks into the possibility of extending the penalty point system – currently for new drivers – to those in possession of standard licences.

Speed box

The fastest speed recorded by a speed camera reached 194 kph on Ħal Far Road in Birżebbuġa.

The second highest speed was marked on the Birkirkara bypass reaching 188 kph.

The Ħal Far Road speed camera issues about 22 tickets a day, followed by Birkirkara with 21 tickets and Attard with 13.5 tickets.

The least number of tickets are dished out by the Qormi camera on the Mrieħel bypass followed by the Burmarrad Road camera with 2.5 tickets.

Over the last 10 years, the number of licensed vehicles increased by about two per cent a year, from 246,000 to 301,000.

Between 2007 and 2009, the highest number of traffic fatalities was recorded on the Coast Road where six people died.