Drug tests will be carried out by the Police on the road, even without reasonable suspicion and there will be harsher penalties for people who drive or cause accidents and deaths under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the Government announced today.

It was explained that there will be effective prison sentences for drivers guilty of killing a person, even involuntarily, who were found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

With legal amendments proposed by the Government, the Police will be able to start carrying out random roadside drug testing for the first time without reasonable suspicion or a court order, with the aim of further strengthening road safety and protecting as many honest and responsible citizens as possible. This in a similar way to breathalyser tests. This follows work carried out in recent months by the Police Force where market research was carried out and special tests were purchased, which are available in Malta.

The Police carried out 2,000 roadchecks during this year, which complement other work carried out by LESA and Transport Malta. This means that in the first eight months of the year, as many road checks have already been carried out as in the entire year, the Government said, which will lead to them reaching triple the number carried out three years ago by the end of the year.

Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri reiterated that “it is clear that despite this, deterrence needs to be increased and laws against abusers tightened, because it is unacceptable for someone to endanger the lives of others on a whim.”

“In July, we gave a clear signal with the first reading in Parliament that we were going to move in this direction, also because we were closing a number of internal and even external consultations to have a robust reform that introduces roadside drug testing that can work effectively,” he said.

Therefore, despite this increase in enforcement, the Government is recognising that more deterrence is needed and is proposing:

1.Drug tests by the Police, on the road, similar to the way alcohol testing is currently done.

2.Random Roadside Testing, where drug or alcohol tests are carried out even without reasonable suspicion.

3. An effective prison sentence for anyone found guilty of killing a person, even involuntarily, under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The possibility of a suspended sentence would be eliminated.

4. Penalties would be strengthened for anyone who chooses to drive drunk or under the influence of drugs, with harsher fines at the disposal of the Court.

5. Power for the Prosecution to request that the driving licence be suspended while proceedings are pending. The Court would then decide on this request.

This reform builds on the steps already taken to strengthen public safety and order, and is designed to provide greater protection for all who observe traffic rules, the Minister said.

The photograph above shows the drug test on which market research was being conducted and also all the necessary testing, also based on models operated in other member states, the Government said.

Insurance Association Malta

The Insurance Association Malta, has welcomed the government’s plans to introduce roadside drug and alcohol testing, while adopting stronger sanctions against those driving under the influence.

IAM said in a statement that it had been actively lobbying for such measures over recent years, as it firmly believes “tougher enforcement will serve as a much-needed deterrent against irresponsible and dangerous conduct on our roads.”

Photo: DOI

Permalink: Police to carry out random roadside drug and alcohol testing