Momentum urges immediate action with random drug & alcohol testing for safer roads

Momentum fully supports the call made by top medical professionals in the Emergency Department of Mater Dei Hospital for the introduction of random drug and alcohol testing for motorists in Malta without the need for reasonable suspicion. This is not just a necessary step, it is long overdue.

Too many lives have been shattered, too many families left broken, and too many near-misses ignored. Road safety in Malta cannot wait for another tragedy. We must act with urgency and determination. Momentum stands firmly behind the implementation of random testing, in line with proven international best practices that have saved lives across Europe.

Drinking or taking drugs before getting behind the wheel is not a “personal choice”,  it is a public threat. Random testing is not about punishing people, it is about deterrence, about prevention, and about protecting innocent lives. Allowing reckless behaviour on our roads to go unchecked is something we should all be worried about.

Matthew Agius said: “We are encouraged by growing awareness among professionals, citizens, and civil society on this issue. But awareness without action is meaningless. It is time for Parliament, authorities, and enforcement agencies to rise to the occasion and introduce a robust, transparent and fair system of random roadside testing, one that is backed by law, supported by technology, and enforced consistently.

Momentum believes that a culture of responsibility, accountability, and safety on our roads must be at the heart of our transport policy. We have no room for complacency. We call on the Government to fast-track the legislative and logistical framework necessary to make this a reality. Road building should also take into account speed calming measures rather than encourage higher speeds.

Let’s make our roads safer.

Momentum Iħeġġeġ azzjoni immedjata b’testijiet tad-droga u l-alkoħol għal toroq aktar sikuri

Momentum jappoġġja bis-sħiħ is-sejħa magħmula mill-professjonisti mediċi fid-Dipartiment tal-Emerġenza tal-Isptar Mater Dei għall-introduzzjoni ta’ testijiet każwali tad-droga u l-alkoħol għas-sewwieqa f’Malta mingħajr il-ħtieġa ta’ suspett raġonevoli. Dan mhux biss pass neċessarju, iżda ilu mistenni.

Wisq ħajjiet ġew imfarrka, wisq familji tkissru, u wisq każijiet setghu kellhom konsegwenzi ħafna agħar. Is-sikurezza fit-toroq f’Malta ma tistax tistenna traġedja oħra. Irridu naġixxu b’urġenza u determinazzjoni. Momentum jappoġġja bis-sħiħ l-implimentazzjoni ta’ testijiet każwali, f’konformità mal-prattiċi internazzjonali ppruvati li salvaw ħajjiet madwar l-Ewropa.

Ix-xorb jew it-teħid ta’ drogi qabel ma ssuq mhuwiex “għażla personali”, huwa theddida pubblika. It-testijiet każwali mhumiex dwar il-kastig tan-nies, huma dwar id-deterrenza, dwar il-prevenzjoni, u dwar il-protezzjoni ta’ ħajjiet innoċenti.Li nkomplu nippermettu li mġieba traskurata fit-toroq tagħna ma tiġix ikkontrollata għandha tinkwetana lkoll.

Matthew Agius qal: “Aħna inkoraġġiti mill-għarfien dejjem jikber fost il-professjonisti, iċ-ċittadini, u s-soċjetà ċivili dwar din il-kwistjoni. Iżda l-għarfien mingħajr azzjoni ma jfisser xejn. Wasal iż-żmien li l-Parlament, l-awtoritajiet, u l-aġenziji tal-infurzar jintroduċu sistema robusta, trasparenti u ġusta ta’ ttestjar każwali fit-toroq, waħda li hija appoġġjata mil-liġi, appoġġjata mit-teknoloġija, u infurzata b’mod konsistenti.

Momentum jemmen li kultura ta’ responsabbiltà, akkontabilità, u sikurezza fit-toroq tagħna trid tkun fil-qalba tal-politika tat-trasport tagħna. Nappellaw lill-Gvern jħaffef l-qafas leġiżlattiv u loġistiku meħtieġ biex dan isir realtà. Il-bini tat-toroq għandu jqis ukoll miżuri li jikkalmaw il-veloċità aktar milli jinkoraġġixxi veloċitajiet ogħla.

Ejjew nagħmlu t-toroq tagħna aktar sikuri.

There is hope, you can help!

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