The Insurance Association Malta is calling on the authorities to swiftly implement the necessary legal changes and equip police with the essential tools and training to conduct roadside drug testing.

Drug-driving and road safety were the topics of a high-level meeting the Association had with the Police Commissioner and senior officials, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining an open dialogue, exchanging views on key issues, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.

Discussions centred on the importance of consistently enforcing road traffic regulations, emphasising the fact that visible enforcement was key to boosting public compliance and serving as a strong deterrent.

The Insurance Association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Malta Police, building on past contributions to road safety initiatives, such as the donation of breathalyser kits and other efforts to enhance the efficiency of road accident reporting.

During the meeting, the Association expressed its concern that police still lacked the means to effectively enforce the law against drug-driving, and pledged to continue collaborating with the police.

IAM also offered its support for the procurement of drug testing kits and any necessary training, as well as help on other future initiatives.

In turn, the Police Commissioner expressed appreciation for the Association’s support and stressed that working in partnership with the community was a key aspect of the Malta Police’s mission statement.

He noted a significant improvement in both the number and severity of road accidents in recent years, attributing this progress to initiatives aimed at better enforcement of road regulations.

Among other achievements, the Police Commissioner highlighted how the Malta Police Force had doubled the number of road-checks last year compared to 2023 and emphasised that these roadside inspections were held throughout the entire year.

He welcomed the Association’s offer for support, adding that the government’s investment in the Force had increased significantly in recent years, enabling the police to be better equipped and trained.

As an example, he referred to a specialised unit that would be set up to investigate and report on road traffic accidents, aimed at enhancing the quality of reports and increasing the success rate of prosecutions.

On the subject of roadside drug testing, the Police Commissioner said extensive research had been carried out on the best practices in other countries, and that detailed proposals have been submitted to the government outlining the necessary legal changes to make such testing effective.