Agenzija Sedqa and Michael Debono Limited joined forces for a campaign to promote responsibility amongst all drivers during this festive period. The message put forward is to encourage everyone to be SAFE – Sober, Alert, Focused and to Enjoy this festive season, directly addressing drivers. A billboard with this message has already been put up in Tal-Barrani, Zejtun.

At the launch of the campaign, the Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family Chris Said expressed his hope that this year’s campaign will be as successful as that carried out in previous years, while he noted that a change in mentality seems to be slowly happening through the years with more people being aware of the need to avoid drinking and driving. Minister Said also expressed his hope that the message being put forward with emphasis for the festive period is remembered by all through the rest of the year. He said that accidents that may follow if one drinks and drives lead to traumas, if not death, with tragic consequences to all members of the families involved and to society at large.

Michael Debono Ltd, official representative of Toyota in Malta, as part of its mission statement and philosophy “has the support of the community at heart and always tries to team up with organisations that bring added value to our community.” Michael Debono Ltd said that it recognises Agenzija Sedqa as having a unique track record in helping and sensitising the community in respect of substance abuse and therefore we found it as a natural step to endorse this year’s don’t drink and drive campaign. We are proud of this association and look forward to further collaboration with Agenzija Sedqa.”

Ms Sina Bugeja, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services praised Michael Debono Ltd for its collaboration and commitment towards social responsibility. “Many people still underestimate the dangers of drinking and driving, thus risking their lives and that of others.”

Ms Bugeja emphasised that alcohol and driving is a dangerous mixture “that has taken many lives and will continue to do so unless we act responsibly. Unfortunately this has not yet been fully understood and accepted by many people.” Ms Bugeja said that this is one of the areas that Agenzija Sedqa will never stop working on, not only through service provision, but also through regular prevention initiatives similar to this one.

Agenzija Sedqa calls for the revision of current regulations governing drink-driving. It believes that random breathalyzer testing at the Police discretion would be a step in the right direction. “Currently the law states that the Police can make use of breathalyzer testing only when there is reasonable suspicion that the person is driving under the influence of alcohol.”

Agenzija Sedqa went on to say that “another issue is that Malta still allows the highest level of alcohol in the blood in the EU – 80mgs of alcohol per decilitre of blood among drivers. Agenzija Sedqa advocates that this level is lowered to 50mgs of alcohol per deciliter. Research shows that levels over 50mgs decrease drastically the person’s ability to drive safely as it deteriorates coordination and attention – thus leading to more road accidents.”

“Educational campaigns such as this one launched and the continuous efforts carried out within the community throughout the year by Agenzija Sedqa, would certainly have a role in the efforts to influence drinking and driving patterns and behaviour, but it is also a known fact that as far as alcohol misuse is concerned, prevention needs the backing of legal measures to be even more effective in changing behaviour.”

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