In view of statistics released so far by the NSO on road fatalities, which have “more than doubled since last year with 25 people dying in road accidents this year when compared to 11 last year” the 2 Wheels Foundation said that it has “now taken a broader perspective and is looking at road safety in a wider context.”

The Foundation is a registered NGO, which was set up in 2011 to raise awareness for bikers’ safety. Its current ethos is to raise awareness with all road users, whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, car or heavy vehicles’ drivers.

Talks with various stakeholders have been ongoing but in 2017 the Foundation said that it will be actively focusing on a road safety awareness campaign, the main message of which will be “What can I do better? Each road user has a responsibility towards others and him\herself. Taking this approach when operating a vehicle or using the road as a pedestrian will increase people’s creativity collectively and positively towards a SAFER road experience.”

The main themes which the 2 Wheels Foundation said it will be actively working on are:

“Road Safety. Through the use of the Highway Code. People, including pedestrians need to be reminded of their responsibilities. It is also important that all vehicle drivers should periodically check their vehicles for any malfunction to ensure their vehicles are not a hazard (e.g. to have working lights and use them properly will be given due importance).

Addressing traffic problem by increasing motorcycle usage. In 2015 the Government introduced incentives in the Budget to encourage motorcycle usage as they recognised that this could help to reduce the traffic problems. It is estimated that if 10% of car drivers resorted to motorcycle use, traffic would be reduced by 40%.

In order to achieve this we need to enhance safety for motorcycle use and combat the perception that motorcycles are dangerous; provide more and adequate motorcycle specific parking spaces, through better utilisation of restricted spaces that cannot be allocated as car parking spaces but could be used for motorcycles; and to regulate motorcycle insurances, as the outright refusal to insure motorcycles together with high premiums needs to be addressed.

Appeal for safety through better enforcement against dangerous driving. The Foundation will be creating pressure to have: more enforcement for moving violations, especially those that are hazardous and dangerous to other road users; increased fines for dangerous moving violations; having plain clothed authorities filtering through traffic and enforcing rules on mobile phone use and other hazardous infringements whilst driving. The Foundation shall also be advocating for more Traffic Police and provision of Dash/Body cams to disciplinary forces.

Infrastructure hazards. The Foundation will actively discuss with the relevant authorities as well as the Road Safety Council certain improvements, which can be made to our roads. The main focus will initially being on: side barriers; unmarked speed bumps; more road cleanliness and prevention of material contamination (water, diesel, coolant, gravel, soil, concrete etc); better road repairs; slippery road marking; slippery road plates.”

The dissemination of these messages will be through TV and radio programmes and via social media. The foundation said that it will be continuing to actively engage with stakeholders in particular those government entities that have shared responsibilities and/or interests in reducing accidents on our roads. “On the other hand we, as road users, need to embrace a mindset of “what can I do better” to improve road safety.”

The Foundation said that it therefore ask for everyones active participation. Get in touch with 2 Wheels Malta Foundation on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/2wheelsmalta/ to give them your thoughts and follow/share the safety related posts.

Permalink: 2 Wheels Foundation road safety awareness campaign for all road users