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Speed cameras nowhere to be seen this Christmas and for good reason

By Miriam Dunn

For a second Christmas running, police will be unable to use evidence gathered from speed cameras to prosecute drivers, even though the number of accidents is rising all the time.

Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat admitted the police are very frustrated that they are still only able to use the speed cameras – imported some 18 months ago – in an "educational" way.

"The legal notice which will make the speed cameras a tool we can use to prosecute motorists was prepared months ago. The reason for the delay in getting the law introduced is a complete mystery," he said.

The length of time it is taking for speed cameras to become legally effective is in stark contrast to the effective way that the breathalyser was introduced some years back. The breathalyser has proved to be a vital tool in helping to curb drink-driving. This year, 78 people have tested positive when asked to "blow into the bag" and police will also be out with the breathalyser equipment over Christmas.

The speed camera equipment was brought over to Malta in a blaze of publicity, although it was explained that their use would be restricted throughout the first few months since the law that would govern their use still needed to be enacted.

During that time, police began using the cameras, but stressed their use was purely for training purposes and to educate and warn motorists, rather than as a tool of enforcement, pending the introduction of new legislation. As the months dragged on, questions were asked about the delay. The authorities cited the length of time being taken to set up the Malta Transport Authority – a new body under whose umbrella the equipment would fall.

Meanwhile, the number of car crashes in Malta continues to rise, alongside the number of new vehicles coming on to the roads. It is widely recognised that speeding is one of the main causes of traffic accidents, although AC Brincat cites poor roads and a lack of concentration as others.

The total number of accidents until the end of October this year stood at 10,989 - 865 of which resulted in serious injuries and 10 of which led to fatalities.

The figure indicates that last year’s total – 12,654 - will easily be matched, if not surpassed.

Accidents tend to peak at the same notorious blackspots; district six, which includes Sliema, St Julians, St Andrews and Gzira and district eight, which contains Birkirara, Balzan and Attard in its boundaries. The two areas contain a number of accident hot spots, such as Regional Road, the Strand, the Birkirara Bypass and the Mriehel Bypass.

Thankfully, the vast majority of crashes are not serious. And the high number of bumps or ‘prangs’ is put down, at least in part, to the density of traffic on the roads. AC Brincat said it is estimated that this year alone, a further 700 – 800 cars have appeared on our roads.

In fact, the number of cars registered almost doubled during the 1990s. In 1990, the total of vehicles on the road stood at 139,000, while by 1999, this figure had risen to 238,333.

On a festive note, AC Brincat urged party-goers and revellers who are planning to come to Paceville over Christmas to do their best to ease traffic problems by pooling transport or taking public transport where possible.

"If the public co-operate, it will ease traffic problems for everybody," he said.