Insurers join calls for random drug and alcohol testing of motorists

Insurers have backed a leading doctor’s calls for random drug and alcohol testing of motorists.

In a statement, the Insurance Association Malta said it “fully supports” Mater Dei emergency department doctor Jonathan Joslin “regarding the urgent need for stronger enforcement and deterrents to address drink and drug driving on our roads.”

Joslin called for random testing of motorists in an article published in Monday’s Times of Malta, when he described the lack of legal provisions for such testing as a “critical gap” in enforcement.

Referencing data collected by its members in 2022 that found that only around three per cent of serious traffic accidents saw the use of breathalysers, the association said the situation “remains a cause for concern”.

It noted it had “long advocated for more robust enforcement in this area”, including participating in the Malta Road Safety Council and proposing legal amendments putting roadside drug testing on the same level of importance as alcohol testing.

The association said it “remains committed to supporting road safety measures, as demonstrated in the past with the donation of breathalyser equipment”.

“We continue to call on authorities to prioritise investment in the resources and training needed to enable police to carry out consistent, effective roadside testing, particularly in the context of serious traffic accidents.”

 It stressed that a “visible and active police presence is not a sign of excessive enforcement but rather a proven deterrent against dangerous driving behaviour”, noting evidence showed that increased monitoring of motorists during the festive season “directly contributes to improved outcomes”.

The association urged authorities to “implement both alcohol and drug testing measures more systematically and without delay”.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility—and it deserves unwavering commitment.”

Joslin said the country should urgently introduce legal provisions allowing police to conduct random breath and saliva testing for alcohol and drugs, with a shift away from the requirement of “reasonable suspicion” essential to deter would-be offenders.

The doctor also said the police must have a visible and routine presence on the roads, with random checkpoints, unmarked patrol vehicles, mobile testing units and immediate roadside suspensions of drivers who fail tests.

Last weekend saw saw three fatal crashes within hours of each other.

On Sunday night, mother-of-four Mildred Azzopardi was killed when she was caught between two cars after a car driven by a soldier crashed into a stationary vehicle in Valletta.

The driver, Benjamin Chetcuti, is charged with involuntary homicide, driving under the influence and grievously injuring another man through negligence.