The article ‘How many more road deaths can we tolerate?’ (September 17) is to be welcomed but the recommendations it makes for solutions do not go far enough. Perhaps it is time to think the unthinkable.
The privilege of driving a vehicle brings with it a great responsibility. Our first duty is not to arrive quickly, economically or pleasantly but to do no harm to others along the way. There is the argument that if we do harm to others our driving privilege should be curbed in some way.
We often forget that when we are driving a car we are shifting between one and two thousand kilos of metal at around 16 metres a second – with people mere centimetres away from us.
The other day, while driving, I witnessed two cars running red lights, one car driving across a roundabout causing another driver to swerve, cars ignoring ‘give way’ and ‘stop’ signs at junctions, dozens of cars using bus lanes, a number of car and truck drivers using mobiles at the wheel, several cars clearly speeding and, along a ring road, someone driving in a zig-zag manner, which is a common occurrence. The use of indicators seems to be anathema to most drivers.
When a driver gets behind the wheel, that person is driving what is potentially a killing machine. The government has failed to communicate this message loud and clear.
Another failure, of course, is that driving laws are largely ignored and scantily enforced. Sanctions are weak, and drivers by and large do not respect the laws designed to protect them from themselves and others. Most drivers will break the law because the probability of being caught is very low indeed and the sanction too weak anyway. It seems that this is part of our culture even though the consequences of this disrespect can be life-changing.
Some would argue that with so many vehicles on the road and the daily experience of bottlenecks and traffic jams, it is no wonder drivers become both impatient or even aggressive as they attempt to get from A to B. We are all aware of traffic density issues in certain parts of Malta and many of those who read this will recognise the examples raised.
So what can be done? The point of this article is not to offer solutions to road traffic density and flow problems, as these are too complex in such a small island. The fundamental issues here are responsibility – the requirement to adhere to traffic laws at all times – and behaviour behind the wheel.
The solution – a change in behaviour – is brought about by increasing the awareness and consequences of irresponsibility through meaningful sanctions. Otherwise, road accidents and deaths will continue to increase. These are the responsibility of government.
In the UK, being caught driving while using a mobile phone could lead to disqualification from driving and a fine of up to £1,000
Awareness can take the form of blunt advertising highlighting the horrific impact of road irresponsibility by the government and Malta Road Safety Council. But perhaps the most effective way to influence behaviour is for the government to impose sanctions that hurt and make car drivers think twice about ignoring the law. This is what is happening in the UK, and Malta can learn lessons from it.
In the UK, being caught driving while using a mobile phone could lead to disqualification from driving and a fine of up to £1,000 (€1,133), or £2,500 (€2,832) for drivers of buses or goods vehicles.
In the case of uninsured drivers or drivers who do not have a valid licence, the police can immediately seize vehicles. The owner can recover the vehicle on payment of a charge but only if they provide proof that they had the licence and insurance policy that the police officer thought they didn’t have. If not taxed or insured, the vehicle can be seized and disposed of.
Careless driving constitutes two offences: driving without due care and attention; and driving without reasonable consideration for other people. This earns fines, disqualification and an extended test at the minimum, and for serious offences, a six-month prison sentence, a £5,000 (€5,664) fine and disqualification from driving.
If caught speeding, the minimum fine is of £100 and three penalty points on one’s licence, while the maximum fine is £1,000, or £2,500 if on the motorway. But from April 2017, offenders can in addition be charged up to 175 per cent of their weekly income.
It’s six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least a year (three years if convicted twice in 10 years) if caught driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink or drugs.
And if found responsible for a death by driving under the influence of drugs, it’s a maximum 14-year prison sentence, an unlimited fine or a minimum two-year ban from driving, and you may have trouble travelling to countries like the US.
In Malta, sanctions such as these, which make drivers sit up and take notice, are needed to change behaviour. After all, a €100 fine is not a deterrent for driving while using a mobile phone.
The UK examples above should be given serious consideration. To implement these stricter penalties it would be necessary to have increased enforcement and deployment of more wardens and traffic police, as well as increased use of CCTV cameras – the fines would go a long way to pay for the higher costs.
Measures like these would not be popular in Malta but what is the cost of a human life?