|
On January 4th, 2006 I got a speeding ticket in the mail for a contravention at the tunnel (St Julians) going to Valletta. I paid Lm35 for it – that was Lm5 extra for a handling charge, if I am correct. I was doing 53 km an hour, the ticket said.
Now let me do some math: a speeding ticket fine is about Lm30. With 26,679 fines issued through the use of speeding cameras in the first 11 months of last year (Lm30 X 26,679 = Lm800,370).
Lm128,000 are going to the road safety campaign after the relevant expenses connected with speed cameras have been deducted (Lm800,370 less Lm 128,000 = Lm627,370).
Lm627,370 in expenses? Do you really believe that these speed cameras in Qormi, St Paul’s Bay, and St Julians have operating costs of Lm672,370 in eleven months? How many persons are employed to keep these cameras working? These are supposed to be automatic cameras, therefore let us suggest that a team of five people for Lm10,000 a year each is maintaining them – Lm627,370 less Lm 50,000 = Lm 577,370.
Still a huge amount of money! If a system costs more money (Lm627,370) than it can generate (Lm128,000), what is the use of such a system?
Anyway: unless somebody breaks down the figures for me and tells me exactly how the Lm627,370 are used I will be convinced that somebody or a whole group is enriching himself or themselves! Who are these people with the big pockets?
I challenge Malta Transport Authority chief executive officer Mr Gianfranco Selvaggi to tell the public and me what kind of expenses there are, that swallowed Lm627,370?
David Camilleri
New York, USA
|
