Introduce random drug, alcohol testing of motorists, emergency doctor insists

A leading consultant at the Mater Dei emergency department has called for random drug and alcohol testing of motorists.

Jonathan Joslin made his appeal after it emerged three people had died in three separate accidents on Sunday. 

"One of the most critical gaps in current road safety enforcement in Malta is the lack of legal authority for police to carry out random roadside drug and alcohol testing without reasonable suspicion," he said.

"This legal barrier allows countless high-risk drivers to remain undetected until a crash occurs—too often, with fatal consequences."

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

Earlier another woman died in a head-on crash between two cars in Fgura.

And a man died when he lost control of his motorcycle in Pietà.

Joslin said Malta was continuing to face an intolerable level of road traffic accidents, serious injuries, and deaths.

"While multiple interventions are necessary to build a safer road system, immediate and effective change can be driven by empowering the police to enforce the law—before tragedy strikes," he wrote in a Facebook post. 

Joslin said that Malta must urgently introduce legal provisions allowing police to conduct random breath and saliva testing for alcohol and drugs.  This shift away from the “reasonable suspicion” requirement is essential to deter would-be offenders and identify dangerous drivers before harm is done.

He said police must have a visible and routine presence on the roads, with:

• Random checkpoints at varied times and locations
• Unmarked patrol vehicles
• Mobile testing units
• Immediate roadside suspensions for drivers who fail tests.

Joslin also insisted that offenders must face swift and serious consequences such as immediate licence suspension upon failing a test, vehicle seizure in repeat or extreme cases, public naming where appropriate and mandatory rehabilitation programs for alcohol or drug dependency.

Targeted use of technology

Joslin also called for deployment of automated speed and red-light cameras where risk is highest and freeing up police resources for dynamic, mobile enforcement.

He said that enforcement of testing laws should be linked with digital licence records for faster penalties and follow-up.

"International evidence shows that random roadside testing combined with serious, visible enforcement leads to a significant drop in fatalities and impaired driving. Countries such as Australia and Ireland have dramatically reduced drink-driving deaths through these powers. Malta can too," he wrote.

"Crucially, this approach sends a clear societal message: if you drink or take drugs and drive, you will be caught—and the consequences will be real.

"To stop the carnage on Malta’s roads, we must stop waiting for the next crash. The police must be given the legal tools to intervene proactively, not reactively. Empowered, visible enforcement backed by tough but fair consequences will get dangerous drivers off the road and save lives."

This, he said, was not about punishment but about prevention.

"Malta deserves safer roads, and the time to act is now," he said.