Police are breathalysing more drivers than ever before

Police officers have carried out 613 breathalyser tests so far this year, with 120 of these testing positive, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà revealed on Wednesday.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Malta Insurance Association focused on driving under the influence, he said this is a sharp increase from 95 tests carried out over the same period last year, of which 90 were positive.

While the percentage of positive tests was around 95 per cent in 2024, it has dropped to approximately 20 per cent in 2025.

Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

“This is because, since March this year, the police have been conducting breathalyser tests whenever a crash involves injuries,” Gafà explained.

He added that this shows substance abuse is not the only contributing factor to collisions, with speeding remaining a major concern.

Police want cannabis impairment limits

Currently, the police are only allowed to conduct breathalyser tests if they have reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence. But the government has tabled Bill 146 in parliament, which proposes random alcohol or drug tests for drivers, as well as harsher penalties.

Doctors have said the bill should be fine-tuned to include limits for cannabis, which can be recreationally consumed, rather than adopt a zero tolerance approach to the drug. 

And during Wednesday's press conference, police commissioner Gafà revealed that the police had also suggested such a limit - 2mg per litre of blood - for cannabis.

The government has said it is open to amending the law, which will be discussed next week by a parliamentary committee.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, who also addressed the conference, spoke about the importance of enforcement and the effort carried out by the police but admitted that "no politician can promise to eliminate all traffic accidents".

Motorcycle accidents up

The minister also revealed that, so far this year, there have been 35,000 speeding cases and 12,000 cases of people using their mobile phones while driving. Overall, he said the police have intensified their presence on the roads, already surpassing last year’s number of road checks.

Gafà also highlighted that serious road collisions are at their lowest level in 20 years, apart from 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is positive, he flagged a steep increase in the per capita number of motorcycle accidents resulting in injuries, which is now three times higher than 20 years ago.

Correction November 12, 2025: A previous version misstated the total number of breathalyser tests carried out this year and in the same period of 2024.