The Transport Ministry yesterday defended the installation of the speed cameras and denied Labour leader Joseph Muscat's claim that they were a form of tax.
It said Dr Muscat's ideas on speed cameras were simple populism and dangerous when considering that he said there should be one speed limit irrespective of the location.
This is the first time the ministry has spoken about the introduction of the controversial speed cameras in 10 localities. When contacted by The Times last week, the ministry said it would not interfere in the location and the limits set by speed cameras, insisting this fell within the competence of the Malta Transport Authority's technical staff.
However, irked by comments made by Dr Muscat's on Sunday, the ministry retaliated and said research had shown excessive speed was the cause of the majority of accidents. "These studies show that every kilometre per hour less in speed reduces incidents by three per cent," the ministry said.
It said that over the past three years two people had died and 59 others were seriously injured in spots where the new speed cameras were being installed. Apart from these incidents, there were 162 other accidents were people escaped unhurt.
The ministry accused Dr Muscat of fantasising when he suggested that the government would have to change the national speed limit for the new cameras (set at a limit of 60km/h) to be set up: "He is probably referring to the Highway Code, which is a guide advising new drivers not to drive beyond 80km/hr when there are no road signs".
It added that road signs for speed were not put up depending on politics but after extensive research according to international standards.
Quoting from the UK's Transport Department, the ministry said a higher speed was often perceived to bring benefits in terms of shorter travel times for people and goods. "However, evidence suggests that when traffic is travelling at constant speeds, even at a lower level, it may result in shorter and more reliable overall journey times," according to the UK's department.
It said traffic authorities should continue to routinely collect and assess mean speeds and the 85th percentile speeds (the speed at or below which 85 per cent of the traffic is travelling) but mean speeds should be used as the basis for determining local speed limits.
The ministry said the speed limits where the cameras where being installed were worked according to the 85th percentile, as opposed to the more restrictive mean speeds recommended by the UK.
"If Dr Muscat is today in a position to practise his beliefs, he would be putting people's lives at risk," the ministry said.
Dr Muscat reacted to the ministry's comments and pointed out that traffic experts too were calling for the policy on speed cameras to be reviewed.
The party quoted last Friday's issue of The Times where traffic experts Hugh Arnett, Simon Micallef Stafrace and television personality Tonio Darmanin said they felt the cameras were mere cash cows. Labour said the new speed limits where the speed cameras were installed were described as absurd and likely to cause more problems.
"Instead of indulging in senseless insults and attacks that lead nowhere, Minister Austin Gatt had better listen to what the experts and the people have to say," Labour said.