Why Malta must confront impaired driving now

The sound of sirens has become far too familiar. In the past few weeks, Malta has witnessed a series of devastating road deaths. For most of us, these appear as headlines. But for emergency doctors, paramedics, nurses, and police officers, they are not just stories, they are lived experiences. They see the twisted wreckage, the silent stillness, the sobbing families. They carry the images long after the scene is cleared.

These first responders are speaking up. They are warning us that the current system is not enough, that too many of these tragedies could have been prevented. They are calling for bold action, because they know that behind every collision statistic is a name, a family, a future stolen.

One of the clearest lessons from these incidents is the role that drugs and alcohol continue to play. Impaired driving is not a rare problem; it is a persistent and deadly one. And our current reliance on suspicion-based testing leaves a gaping hole in prevention. Unless a driver shows obvious signs of impairment or is involved in a crash, they are unlikely to be stopped. This creates an unacceptable level of risk.

The solution is clear and proven: random roadside testing for both alcohol and drugs. Not ‘occasional campaigns’ or ‘seasonal crackdowns’, but an everyday reality; any driver, anywhere, anytime. That visibility alone changes behaviour. Drivers who know they can be tested at any moment think twice before drinking or using drugs.

Other countries have shown the way. In Ireland, mandatory alcohol testing transformed road safety, and in Australia, random breath testing has been credited with cutting alcohol-related crashes by as much as half in some states. These results didn’t happen by chance, they were the product of consistent enforcement, lowered legal limits, swift penalties, and a culture shift that made impaired driving socially unacceptable.

One of the clearest lessons from these incidents is the role that drugs and alcohol continue to play- Alex Borg

Malta can do the same, but it will require decisive leadership. Here’s what must happen: First, empower police with the legal authority to test any driver without the need for suspicion. Second, apply immediate roadside licence suspensions for offenders, combined with rapid drug-test confirmations so penalties are swift and certain.

This plan cannot stop at enforcement. We need mobile testing units rotating across the country, a high-profile awareness campaign, and public reporting of monthly enforcement data. Transparency builds trust and keeps pressure on the system to deliver results.

We also need to focus on high-risk groups: zero tolerance for novice drivers, professional drivers, and motorcyclists, with targeted enforcement at weekends and post-licence training incentives to raise skill levels. Over time, we should introduce a graduated licensing system that phases in driving privileges, as well as continuous professional development for commercial drivers.

Finally, road safety must be anchored in leadership and accountability. A dedicated road safety delivery unit in the Office of the Prime Minister could coordinate agencies, monitor targets, and publish annual reports with independent oversight.

Our goal should be clear: a drastic reduction in drug and alcohol-related road deaths. This is achievable if we act now.

Every month we wait risks another round of funerals, another set of parents told their child is not coming home.

The professionals who face these tragedies every day are asking us to listen. The evidence is in front of us. The tools are ready. The clock is ticking. Malta cannot afford to wait.

Alex Borg is a candidate for the leadership of the Nationalist Party.