The contents of Jean Karl Soler’s letter, ‘Malta’s safe roads’ (April 20), are easy to dispute with the kind help from readers who commented on the Times of Malta website.
To quote extracts verbatim:
“Malta has the worst driving standards in Europe – as confirmed by anyone who has driven here. It is the only country where standards are plummeting lower every year. Anyone with experience of driving in Malta (and) compare this with European driving will be bound to come to the conclusion that the overall standard in Malta is abysmal.”
“Travelling distances are short in Malta. A quoted average figure for a car commuting trip in Malta is 4.3 km. Almost half of Malta is built up and streets mostly congested so that speeds are low, there should be no fatal accidents. Our accident fatality rate is high. The cause of many of our accidents is speed junkies... give them a 300m stretch of clear road and they will speed up to 100kmh... even in built-up areas.”
“There are no… disincentives to irresponsible driving. The outdated calculation of percentage of disability in the event of an accident is simply embarrassing. Drivers who cause injury should be pursued for huge sums of money… €100s of thousands or €millions with the immediate seizing and sale of all assets of the accused should the amounts not be paid. You put someone in a wheelchair, then be prepared to pay €millions to that person from your insurance policy or your own money.”
In regard to the preceding extract, Malta and the UK are out of step with the rest of Europe by not operating any form of so-called ‘presumed liability’, thus denying vulnerable road users access to compensation for injuries.
Presumed liability is not a question of guilt but a question of damage liability. The principle which underlies the concept of ‘presumed liability compensation’ is simple: a vehicle driver is voluntarily in charge of a vehicle which is capable of inflicting severe injury or death to all vulnerable road users who are not protected in a vehicle.
There are too many victims or their survivors awaiting justice. It is time this law was introduced in Malta.