The Association of Catering Establishments (ACE) is calling for random breathalyser testing to become frequent and mandatory on request for all drivers, irrespective of whether they exhibit apparent signs of intoxication.
It made the statement “following the recent spate of fatal and serious crashes involving alcohol or drug-impaired drivers.”
ACE refereed to “alarming” data collected by the Insurance Association Malta in 2022 that revealed that breathalyser tests “were only used in approximately 3% of serious traffic accidents. This data clearly highlights the need for a revision in the current legislation. A law which currently restricts breathalyser testing unless there is serious suspicion. This revision in legislation is a must and not an option otherwise as well pointed out by emergency doctor Jonathan Joslin, in his recent opinion piece on The Times of Malta, Members of Parliament would have to bear moral responsibility for any ensuing road deaths in which drugs or alcohol are involved.”
ACE also supports the call by Caritas for strict ID card vetting in supermarkets, groceries and catering establishments.
“Above all, ACE also supports the recent call for a public education campaign aimed at clarifying the risks associated with alcohol consumption and driving to remind the public that any amount of alcohol in the bloodstream can impair their ability to drive safely.”
It stressed that road safety is “a collective effort which calls on government, on legislators, on all political parties, on civil society and above all, on each and one of us to ensure safer roads, better enforcement and less loss of lives.”
