The portable breathalyser kits donated by the Malta Insurance Association to the police a few days before Christmas got more media exposure than anticipated but probably not the kind that was expected.

The donation of the 15 kits was the culmination of several months of cooperation between the MIA and the police with one clear objective in mind: contributing towards greater safety on our roads.

Drink-driving is not limited to the festive season and the police know this all too well. During the discussions with the police, the MIA had the opportunity to experience the thorough process with which these breathalyser kits were identified, where no stone was left unturned so that they would meet the high standards that are both required and expected in an EU member State such as ours.

Absolutely no shortcuts were taken in the whole process.

Drink-driving is not limited to the festive season and the police know this all too well

It was important for both the MIA and the police that the kits carried the necessary certification, a requirement that was fully satisfied as they are approved by the US Department of Transportation.

The kits are included in an extensive ‘Conforming products list of evidential breath alcohol measurement devices’ issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, better known as NHTSA. They also carry the CE certification.

The statement issued by the Commissioner of Police acknowledges that such international standards have been met and elaborates further with the list of countries where such kits are put to good use.

As they say, comparisons are odious and focusing the attention on such a debate will only lessen the attention of the public on road safety and the hazard that drink-driving brings is to society.

A huge disservice to road safety would have been made if the kits donated were below standard and the MIA is confident that this is not the case.

Incidentally, the Malta Road Safety Council, of which the MIA forms an active part, has also embarked on a similar initiative to raise awareness on the perils of drink-driving. It has also distributed disposable breathalyser kits to the public.

Awareness is the key to start tackling this issue more seriously.

The MIA has always positively interacted with the authorities, such as the police and Transport Malta, to offer its advice, suggestions and assistance. It is through such open dialogue that the MIA became aware of the need to upgrade the roadside kits the police use by donating others that reflect the pace with which technology is advancing, thus bringing greater benefits to the police through more efficiency, better and more accurate results and lower maintenance costs.

Needless to say, accuracy is a function of several factors that include ambience temperature, use of the kits and administration of the test itself, training and, above all, regular maintenance.

The kits are smart enough to alert the user with a warning that recalibration is required because it is understandable to expect that such equipment needs a regular maintenance regime for its accuracy to be maintained.

Although there may be a presence of certain chemicals in the mouth, the kits measure the level of alcohol deep in the lungs, which is, in turn, a reflection of the level of alcohol in the bloodstream that is known to linger on for a long period of time after consumption.

Experienced police officers will, as the statement by the Police Commissioner refers, know when the need to administer a breathalyser test arises.

The MIA has always been concerned with road safety and, with the support of the MCCAA, ensured that vehicle repairers are inspected and classified to ensure that vehicles damaged in accidents are competently and safely repaired.

It will continue to come up with initiatives in this area as this is of major importance to all and not just to insurers.

Apart from road safety, another major issue faced by motorists on a daily basis is the congested roads, no doubt a cause of frustration for all of us.

The MIA has been behind important changes that had been introduced to try and mitigate the problem of cars involved in accidents and disrupting the traffic flow.

Foremost among these was, undoubtedly, the introduction of the ‘front-to-rear’ form which, unfortunately, many still complete on the road itself rather than moving their vehicles to a safer place and one where they do not obstruct traffic. This despite the many appeals made.

The MIA is convinced that it is only through a collective consideration of long-term objectives and with the collaboration and involvement of all stakeholders that the country will start to reap the benefits of these efforts and that lives will be saved.

There is little doubt that traffic is likely to remain congested, that road injuries and fatalities will continue to happen and that vehicle repair costs will keep soaring. The economic cost of this is ultimately borne by all and the MIA is determined to continue taking these small but tangible steps to play our part in improving the situation.

Adrian Galea is director general of the Malta Insurance Association

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