Manuel Mangani's A Driving Need For Change (August 13) was long overdue. I am convinced that Sedqa has brought these points to the authorities' attention before. It has taken the life of an altruistic cyclist to give impetus to publicise the problem. The authorities have largely remained silent and in the background, save for an ADT/Ministry statement regarding the fact that there are currently no specific plans to improve cycle lanes. Improving cycling infrastructure is desirable but if irresponsible drivers are not taken off the road improved cycle lanes will just place more fodder onto their paths.
Two and a half years ago, a prominent member of the ADT managerial staff and former chairmen of the traffic board had totally ignored drink driving as a cause of road traffic incidents, fatalities and injuries. He stated that "the vast majority of accidents in Malta are caused by excessive speed". Never did he ever give a token acknowledgment towards the contribution to road incidents of driving under the influence of alcohol or mind altering substances. No speed cameras or speed limits would put sense into the altered minds of people driving under the influence of alcohol.
In his article Mr Mangani stopped short of asking the authorities plain and simple questions like:
What is stopping the authorities from lowering the legal blood alcohol limits like the majority of EU States?
What is stopping the authorities from increasing spot checks on drivers for alcohol and drug use? A reference to those lobbying against such measures would be appreciated.
Plain answers for plain questions please!
Congratulations to the law enforcement officers who obtained an "indicative" breathalyzer test five hours after the fatal incident. It would have been more protective if the driver was tested on his way out of an entertainment venue. While apprehending illicit drugs at road blocks seems to have some degree of success, the same cannot be said about drink driving.
Is it maybe because unbridled alcohol consumption nets in substantial revenue to the government? I stop short of listing other parties with vested interests in maintaining the status quo.
Peppering the road ways with speed cameras will not rein in the irresponsible. A change in legislation and law enforcement officers at road side spot-checks armed with a breathalyzer will.