IAM calls for average speed cameras and tougher penalties to curb dangerous driving

The Insurance Association Malta is calling for the introduction of average speed cameras and stiffer penalties for repeat offenders to thwart drivers from using Malta’s roads as “race tracks”.

While welcoming a drop of 10,000 speeding fines over the past year, the IAM cautioned that the decrease did not necessarily reflect safer driving behaviour. Instead, many motorists may simply be slowing down when approaching fixed speed cameras before accelerating again once past them.

Last week, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said 33,315 drivers were fined for speeding last year, a marked drop compared to the 43,761 speeding fines issued in 2024, However, IAM pointed out that the location of fixed cameras was widely known, limiting their long-term deterrent effect.

“The introduction of average speed cameras will ensure drivers adhere to the speed limits across an entire stretch of road, rather than only slowing down at a single fixed point,” the IAM said in a statement.

“This system measures the time taken to travel between two points, encouraging consistent compliance instead of momentary caution.”

IAM also proposed cost-effective enforcement measures, including signage warning that certain road sections may be subject to random speed checks. Such measures, it said, would empower authorities to deploy mobile speed cameras more strategically while reinforcing the perception of constant monitoring.

The Association is further recommending progressive penalties for repeat offenders, arguing that habitual speeding must carry escalating consequences.

Under IAM’s proposal, driving licence suspension would be triggered after three speeding offences rather than four. Additionally, the current flat deduction of three penalty points per contravention would be replaced by a graduated system: three points for a first offence, four for a second, and five for a third.

“Repeat offenders pose a disproportionate risk on our roads… Penalties must reflect the seriousness of persistent non-compliance,” the Association said.

IAM also called for a review of speed limits on certain stretches of road where current limits may be unrealistic or poorly aligned with road design, citing the two-lane road from Buqana to the Mġarr/St Paul’s Bay/Mosta roundabout, currently set at 50 km/h, as an example.

At the same time, the Association stressed that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with proper road maintenance. Recent storms, it said, caused significant surface damage and dislodged road signage, creating additional hazards for motorists.

In its statement, IAM urged authorities to prioritise repairs, resurfacing and proper signage alignment to ensure roads did not pose avoidable risks.

Alongside enforcement, IAM emphasised the importance of sustained awareness campaigns. It suggested targeted messaging using billboards, street furniture and Transport Malta’s illuminated boards to reinforce responsible driving habits.

“Enforcement alone is not enough; we need a cultural shift in how roads are used,” the Association said.

“Our roads are not racetracks. They are shared public spaces where families, workers, cyclists and pedestrians have a right to feel safe. If we are serious about reducing accidents and protecting lives, we must move beyond symbolic enforcement and adopt measures that deliver real, measurable change. The cost of inaction is too high.”