Insurers want stiffer penalties on repeat offenders and average speed cameras

The Malta Insurance Association has called for the introduction of average speed cameras and stiffer penalties for repeat offenders to deter drivers from using Malta’s roads as “race tracks”.

They cautioned that the decrease in speeding fines, which fell by 10,000 tickets, does not necessarily reflect safer driving behaviour, noting that many motorists may slow down when approaching fixed speed cameras before accelerating again once past them.

“The introduction of average speed cameras will ensure drivers adhere to the speed limits across an entire stretch of road, rather than only slowing down at a single fixed point,” the IAM said on Thursday afternoon, “This system measures the time taken to travel between two points, encouraging consistent compliance instead of momentary caution.”

The association also proposed cost-effective enforcement measures, including signage warning that certain road sections are subject to random speed checks. They also recommended progressive penalties for repeat offenders, arguing that habitual speeding must carry escalating consequences.

Last week, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said 33,315 drivers were fined for speeding last year, a marked drop from the 43,761 issued in 2024. The association said that the location of fixed cameras was widely known, limiting their long-term restraining effect.

“Our roads are not racetracks. They are shared public spaces where families, workers, cyclists and pedestrians have a right to feel safe. If we are serious about reducing accidents and protecting lives, we must move beyond symbolic enforcement and adopt measures that deliver real, measurable change. The cost of inaction is too high.”

They noted that under their proposals, a driving license suspension would occur after three speeding violations rather than four. Furthermore, the existing fixed penalty of three points per violation would be replaced with a graduated system: three points for the first offence, four for the second, and five for the third.

They also called for a review of speed limits on certain stretches of road where current limits may be unrealistic or poorly aligned with road design, citing the two-lane road from Buqana to the Mġarr/St Paul’s Bay/Mosta roundabout, currently set at 50km/h.

At the same time, the association stressed that enforcement must go hand in hand with proper road maintenance. Recent storms, it said, caused significant surface damage and dislodged road signage, creating additional hazards for motorists.

In its statement, IAM urged authorities to prioritise repairs, resurfacing and proper signage alignment to ensure roads did not pose avoidable risks.

Alongside enforcement, IAM emphasised the importance of sustained awareness campaigns. It suggested targeted messaging using billboards, street furniture and Transport Malta’s illuminated boards to reinforce responsible driving habits.