Police, Transport Malta, and LESA officers are being trained to use hand-held speed guns to monitor drivers in the next few days.
On Tuesday, Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia said that a new set of speed guns, acquired by the government and legally enabled through a new publication in the Government Gazette, can now be used for law enforcement purposes.
This was the last legal hurdle for the speed guns, noticed in previous weeks by several drivers that law enforcement officers will now deploy to tackle speeding.
Sources at Transport Malta told The Shift that the government had issued informal instructions to conduct a blitz on Maltese roads in the coming weeks, deploying many officers armed with handheld cameras.
The idea is to drive the message forward that, this time, they are serious about enforcement.
No prior warning
Unlike fixed speed cameras, the new handheld cameras will offer no prior warning, where traffic regulations stipulate warnings must be in place for motorists.
According to the current rules, enforcement officers can check speed limits wherever and whenever they want, with no warning necessary.
Traffic experts have already warned that this will be controversial as some enforcement officers have been outed in the past for hiding behind trees and other obstacles along the roads to surprise drivers and issue hefty fines.
“It is not on that enforcement officers try to ambush drivers. Cameras should not be there to fine people and enrich state coffers but to act as a deterrent against the abuse of speed limits. This should be another educational experience,” a traffic expert told The Shift.
In some other countries, enforcement officers are not allowed to take pictures from the front of vehicles for data protection purposes. They must still install warnings along the road approaching hand-held camera spots.
It is unknown whether the government will be amending the rules to introduce measures to prevent abuse by enforcers.
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There is only one fundamental rule. This applies to motorists to strictly stick to the law and drive sensibly to avoid accidents that can be fatal or result in injuries to others.
If one is driving, if he/she follows the rules they should not fear speed cameras.
There’s “illegal” written allover.
Fuq din NAQBEL MA L AWTORITA. Jekk noqhodu navzaw min qabel ikun kollu ta XEJN, ezempju fil bypass ta bejn san pawl u ix xemxija hemm zewg speed camera wahda fuq kull naha. Mela dawn tal muturi ibaxxu l ispeed x hin jaslu hdejn l speed camera u kif jaqbzuwa jergaw jifthu FULL SPEED AHEAD.
Trid tkun toqghod san pawl f st George s street biex tismahom specjalment fil festi u il IL HDUD mas 7am ta fil ghodu. ANKE GIELI MATUL IL LEJL XI HADD TIELA U NIZEL BI SPEED QAWWI LI TKUN SE TORQOD JAHSDUK.
Gieli cemplit id depot u kollox waqa fuq widnejn TORROX
It appears that Clyde is in desperate need of funds.
Nowadays, the main issue is NOT about speed guns’ legality, but rather whether fines will be levied and incurred across board, rather than depending on who you know.
Veru ahna nisimawhom min Xemxija Heights
I’m all in favour of unadvertised speed traps, so long as they are not arbitrarily administered. Why are so many drivers exceeding the applicable speed limit (or generally ignoring much of the Highway Code)? Because the chances of getting caught are so low. Increase the likelihood of a fine or licence suspension, and you’ll improve compliance. The relative advantage of stationary cameras, of course, is that they execute their programming without fear or favour (the human tamper factor only enters when something ‘accidentally’ happens to the photos…).
I came across one last week in the road leading from Iklin to Naxxar, I was lucky to avoid the policewoman holding the gun as she was practically in the middle of the street; the guy in front of me swerved to avoid her and so did I
Good, bring your speed guns to Triq Il Qasab, San Gwann, and you’ll make plenty of pocket money.
Shift news…love you dearly. but is there an article which states the use of these new toys? can you list it pls?
This is a bit naiive. It is like saying it is ok for the police to break the law and ignore human rights if they are trying to catch a thief. Just don?t be a thief and let it be.
“drivers beware”? “no warning”? what is this The Shift? Just drive responsibly and you don’t need to be afraid of anything.
I fully agree. The legal argument is tied to the requirement to pre-advise motorists that speed monitoring is under way. In my view ALL motorists are given all the pre-notification, advice and warning they require when they pass their driving test. Let’s not miss the wood for the trees. The objective is to stop law breakers which in turn dissuades them and others from breaking traffic rules. What is important is the spirit rather than the word of the law. We are talking about saving human lives here, not avoiding a ?100 fine. The practice of slowing down when we are warned of a speed camera and speeding excessive everywhere else is ridiculous and, frankly, childish.
Exactly! it’s like having a teacher absent from class for a few minutes & there’s someone on the lookout for his/her return!! ?? a baby soother is what’s missing!!
Abide by the law & you won’t have to be scared of Speed Limit cameras; hand held or otherwise.
Many of the speed limits here are too low for modern day vehicles.
I agree. Got fined myself and I was in no way endangering anyone, so classifing offenders as reckless drivers is absurd, the limits are simply too low, so argue as much as they want, this is simply a way to get money, no matter how honourable they try to portray their illegal actions.