Insurance Association of Malta calls for introduction of accident investigation agency

The Insurance Association of Malta has called for the implementation of the long-awaited accident investigation agency.Such an agency has long been promised by the government.In a statement, it also said that driving under the influence of alcohol or

By: independent.com.mt

Jan 07 2025
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Insurance Association of Malta

The Insurance Association of Malta has called for the implementation of the long-awaited accident investigation agency.

Such an agency has long been promised by the government.

In a statement, it also said that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not confined to the holiday season, and urged the authorities to commit to year-round road safety measures.

"The risks associated with drink-driving and drug-driving are not confined to the holiday season. Road safety should never be treated as a seasonal concern; it must remain a priority every single day," the Association said.

It commended the Malta Police Force for the coordination of 170 road checks, the inspection of 4,700 vehicles, and the issuance of over 400 fines. The Association said these went a long way to safeguarding lives on the road during the Christmas period.

The fact that no serious traffic accidents were reported during this festive season was a testament to the effectiveness of these measures, it continued.

"While we wholeheartedly support these actions, we must also express our disappointment that similar roadside checks and initiatives are not conducted consistently throughout the year - drivers choosing to endanger their lives and those of innocent road users should face robust and unrelenting deterrence year-round," it said.

The Association, which is a non-profit organisation representing the views and common interests of all insurance companies in Malta, said it has been a driving force to uphold road safety, including donating the majority of breathalyser kits in use by the police.

It welcomed the police's use of breathalyser tests, which identified 11 drivers over the legal alcohol limit over the festive period, "as such initiatives demonstrated a proactive approach to tackling a serious issue that puts countless lives at risk."

"However, these tests should not be limited to drink-driving as drug-driving has become another menace on Malta's roads." The Association urged the police to embark on drug roadside testing - in addition to alcohol testing - without further delay.

The Association said the end of 2024 was marked by a series of serious traffic accidents, "once again highlighting the urgent introduction of the Transport Safety Investigative Commission, which should have been up and running by the end of 2023, but was nowhere to be seen a year later."

"We urge the authorities to take decisive action to uphold road safety, including the swift implementation of an accident investigation agency. As representatives of the insurance sector, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of road accidents, many of which could have been prevented through better enforcement and public education," the Association said.

"Road safety is not a temporary or seasonal campaign; it is a perpetual responsibility shared by authorities, drivers, and society as a whole. Together, we should work towards the goal of making Malta's roads safer for everyone."