The Malta Insurance Association has come out strongly against the government’s decision to relax the imposition of fines for some traffic offences.

“We need to be careful not to send a message that such irresponsible actions are actually condoned or, worse still, pardoned,” Adrian Galea is director general of the Malta Insurance Association says in an opinion piece on Times of Malta.

He said the association had many times expressed its concern about the (poor) level of enforcement of traffic offences, many of which cause road accidents.

“Proper enforcement is aided if the law is clear, thus the creation of such uncertain situations such as the ‘relaxation’ will only complicate matters. Motorists are already all too familiar and aware of the frequent obstructions to the traffic flow they encounter on a daily basis, such as the haphazard parking of vehicles on double yellow lines, double parking and parking at the corner of a road intersection which blocks the view of motorists. 

“Apart from being a nuisance, such offences are a major cause of the obstruction of traffic flow and may often lead to traffic accidents as motorists are forced into undertaking dangerous manoeuvres to avoid them. Those who simply leave their vehicles in the middle of the road either to deliver goods or to stop for a quick purchase are unfortunately a too-familiar sight on our roads. Vehicles with missing lights or side mirrors can also create an unnecessary hazard in the roads, which too may lead to accidents.”

There will also be three other instances where a warning will be issued instead of a fine for a first-time offence: broken headlamp and rear light, lights not functioning properly and a vehicle which is not roadworthy. 

This, Mr Galea said, ran counter to the good work being carried out by the Road Safety Council.

“The MIA reiterates its view on the importance of the authorities sending out strong and unequivocal messages if road discipline and road safety are to be upheld,” he said.

The association is urging the government to reconsider.