Malta: Improving Malta: Improving Seat Belt UseSeat Belt Use

Maria AttardMaria AttardTransport Policy and Planning Manager Transport Policy and Planning Manager

Malta Transport AuthorityMalta Transport Authoritymaria.attard@maltatransport.commaria.attard@maltatransport.com

BackgroundBackground

The Maltese Islands are a group of 3 major The Maltese Islands are a group of 3 major islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino)islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino)

The total area is 318 sq km with Malta being the The total area is 318 sq km with Malta being the largest island (246 sq km).largest island (246 sq km).

A country with the highest population densities A country with the highest population densities and levels of car ownership in Europe.and levels of car ownership in Europe.

No natural resources except for limestone and No natural resources except for limestone and natural harbours.natural harbours.

Main industries are in service trade, particularly Main industries are in service trade, particularly tourism contributing 30% of GDP.tourism contributing 30% of GDP.

Valletta

SLIEMA

VALLETTA

THE GRAND HARBOUR

Malta

-Extent of road network (> 2,000 km)

-Extent of the built-up area (27%)

Current SituationCurrent SituationRapid changes in land transport over a Rapid changes in land transport over a very short period of time.very short period of time. Increase in private mobilityIncrease in private mobility Increase in road infrastructureIncrease in road infrastructure

Steady economic growth with GDP Steady economic growth with GDP increasing at an annual average rate of increasing at an annual average rate of 4%.4%.Increase in household disposable income Increase in household disposable income (7% over 10 years).(7% over 10 years).Increase access to private cars (116% Increase access to private cars (116% increase between 1985-2000).increase between 1985-2000).

Table 1. Stock of licensed motor vehicles Table 1. Stock of licensed motor vehicles

on the islands 1998-2002.on the islands 1998-2002. Source: NSO, 2003.Source: NSO, 2003. Motor Vehicle 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Agricultural 918 949 1,010 1,055 1,099

Private coaches 162 157 156 156 157

Commercial vehicles 41,932 42,687 43,164 43,663 43,852

Garage hire 863 966 1,034 1,116 1,165

Minibuses 375 390 397 398 399

Motorcycles 11,000 11,662 12,167 12,605 13,097

Private vehicles 169,542 176,264 182,105 188,492 195,055

Route buses 570 572 573 571 577

Self drive cars 4,136 4,777 5,738 5,521 5,454

Self drive m’cycles 234 209 235 225 227

Taxi 245 245 246 247 247

Total 229,977 238,878 246,825 254,052 261,329

Road AccidentsRoad Accidents

Increase in number of road accidents.Increase in number of road accidents.

Fatalities have remained stable with an average Fatalities have remained stable with an average of 16 fatalities a year over the past 10 years.of 16 fatalities a year over the past 10 years.

Despite low fatality figures, car journeys in Malta Despite low fatality figures, car journeys in Malta are very short and average speeds are very low are very short and average speeds are very low (< 60km/hr in most areas).(< 60km/hr in most areas).

More cars on the network have further reduced More cars on the network have further reduced speeds.speeds.

Road surfaces have acted as a deterrent with Road surfaces have acted as a deterrent with most serious accidents occurring on newly most serious accidents occurring on newly surfaced roads.surfaced roads.

Table 2. Road Traffic Accidents in the Maltese Islands Table 2. Road Traffic Accidents in the Maltese Islands Source: MEPA 2002; ADT, 2004.Source: MEPA 2002; ADT, 2004.

Year Traffic Casualties Total Road AccidentsFatal Serious Slight

1989 15 190 451 8,053

1990 4 134 337 7,949

1991 16 172 408 9,351

1992 11 183 504 10,352

1993 14 153 477 10,321

1994 6 206 565 12,353

1995 14 132 520 12,994

1996 19 154 568 15,344

1997 18 138 616 14,552

1998 17 187 649 9,067*

1999 12 238 896 11,456*

2000 15 244 925 12,654*

2001 16 255 940 13,347*

2002 16 314 965 13,999*

2003 16 247 907 13,963*

Transport Policy – Road SafetyTransport Policy – Road Safety

Despite lack of formal policy, the Despite lack of formal policy, the Government of Malta focused on road Government of Malta focused on road safety and introduced:safety and introduced: compulsory seat belt use compulsory seat belt use Introduction of drink/driving laws (breathalyzer Introduction of drink/driving laws (breathalyzer

testing)testing) Compulsory use of crash helmetsCompulsory use of crash helmets Use of mobile speed camerasUse of mobile speed cameras Vehicle Roadworthiness TestingVehicle Roadworthiness Testing Media coverage encouraging good driving Media coverage encouraging good driving

behaviourbehaviour

White Paper Policy TargetsWhite Paper Policy TargetsObjectivesObjectives TargetsTargetsAchieve modal Achieve modal shift from private shift from private to public to public transport modestransport modes

-stabilizing bus service patronage to 1995 levelsstabilizing bus service patronage to 1995 levels-20% reduction in on-street parking, particularly in town 20% reduction in on-street parking, particularly in town centerscenters-Establish schemes for Green Transport PlansEstablish schemes for Green Transport Plans

Safe travel for all Safe travel for all usersusers

- 50% reduction in injury accidents by 2014- 50% reduction in injury accidents by 2014

Healthier travelHealthier travel -20% reduction in harmful transport emissions in the urban 20% reduction in harmful transport emissions in the urban areaarea-30% reduction in the number of cars entering Valletta 30% reduction in the number of cars entering Valletta peninsulapeninsula

Making Making infrastructure infrastructure accessible to allaccessible to all

-50% of traffic management schemes implemented will be 50% of traffic management schemes implemented will be aimed solely at improving the conditions for non-motoristsaimed solely at improving the conditions for non-motorists-95% of walkways should be within standard design95% of walkways should be within standard design-Establish schemes for safe routes to schools for all town Establish schemes for safe routes to schools for all town primary schoolsprimary schools

Seat Belt LegislationSeat Belt Legislation

Compulsory use of front seat belt Compulsory use of front seat belt introduced in 1995.introduced in 1995.

Compulsory use of rear seat belt by Compulsory use of rear seat belt by children introduced in January 2004.children introduced in January 2004.

Compulsory use of rear seat belt by adults Compulsory use of rear seat belt by adults introduced in July 2004.introduced in July 2004.

Current EffortsCurrent Efforts

Malta Transport Authority Malta Transport Authority A new accident record sheet for Police to A new accident record sheet for Police to

include reference to the use of seat belt in include reference to the use of seat belt in injury accidents.injury accidents.

A road safety committee to draw up a Road A road safety committee to draw up a Road Safety Strategy.Safety Strategy.

At Government levelAt Government level The Verona Charter – an international The Verona Charter – an international

commitment to promote road safety.commitment to promote road safety. EU White Paper targets.EU White Paper targets.

Improving Seat Belt Use (1)Improving Seat Belt Use (1)

Measures which led to the very successful Measures which led to the very successful adoption of seat belt use in 1995 were:adoption of seat belt use in 1995 were: Heavy enforcement upon implementationHeavy enforcement upon implementation Heavy fines and constant patrollingHeavy fines and constant patrolling Television campaigns on the benefits of Television campaigns on the benefits of

wearing the seat belt targeting both adults wearing the seat belt targeting both adults and children sitting at the front (one and children sitting at the front (one successful advert advocating children to sit at successful advert advocating children to sit at the back).the back).

Improving seat belt use (2)Improving seat belt use (2)

In 2003, Government started drafting a new In 2003, Government started drafting a new regulation for rear seat belt use.regulation for rear seat belt use. Children under 3 years of age sitting at the front seat Children under 3 years of age sitting at the front seat

must wear appropriate child restraint and those sitting must wear appropriate child restraint and those sitting at the rear must wear child restraint if available.at the rear must wear child restraint if available.

Children aged 3 to 11 and under 1.5m in height sitting Children aged 3 to 11 and under 1.5m in height sitting at the front seat must wear child restraint and when at the front seat must wear child restraint and when not available an adult seat belt must be worn and not available an adult seat belt must be worn and those sitting at the rear must wear child restraint or those sitting at the rear must wear child restraint or adult seat belt if available.adult seat belt if available.

In both cases, the criminal responsibility lies on the In both cases, the criminal responsibility lies on the driver of the vehicle.driver of the vehicle.

Adopting a new legislationAdopting a new legislation

Publicity (TV, Newspapers)Publicity (TV, Newspapers)

Information using road accident Information using road accident statisticsstatistics

““in 2003, in Malta, nearly a quarter of the 363 in 2003, in Malta, nearly a quarter of the 363 car passengers who sustained injuries as a car passengers who sustained injuries as a result of traffic accidents on our roads, were result of traffic accidents on our roads, were sitting in the back seat of the vehicle at the sitting in the back seat of the vehicle at the time – tragically two lost their life”time – tragically two lost their life”

Better use of statisticsBetter use of statistics““25% of all rear seat occupants who were injured last 25% of all rear seat occupants who were injured last year were children under 12 years of age”year were children under 12 years of age”

““recent surveys reveal that more than 95% of adults recent surveys reveal that more than 95% of adults and 85% of children do not wear a safety belt or child and 85% of children do not wear a safety belt or child restraint device when traveling in the back seat of cars”restraint device when traveling in the back seat of cars”

““in the European Union, in 2001, 40,000 passengers were in the European Union, in 2001, 40,000 passengers were killed in traffic accidents. Although, on average, some killed in traffic accidents. Although, on average, some 90% of car users in these countries wear seat belts, some 90% of car users in these countries wear seat belts, some 7,000 of those killed were not wearing a seat belt.”7,000 of those killed were not wearing a seat belt.”

““wearing of safety belt reduces the wearing of safety belt reduces the chances of death in a crash by 45% chances of death in a crash by 45% and the chances of serious injury by and the chances of serious injury by 50%”50%”

DistributionDistribution

Leaflets (Local Councils, Schools)Leaflets (Local Councils, Schools)Stationery for children.Stationery for children.

Board Games for interactive learning.Board Games for interactive learning.

Situation todaySituation today

UserUser Percentage use Percentage use of seat beltof seat belt

Car driver Car driver (1995 legislation)(1995 legislation) 99%99%

Front seat passengers Front seat passengers (1995 legislation)(1995 legislation)

AdultsAdults

ChildrenChildren

93%93%

90%90%

Rear seat passengers Rear seat passengers (2004 legislation)(2004 legislation)

AdultsAdults

ChildrenChildren

43%43%

20%20%

ConclusionConclusion

Best tools are enforcement and education.Best tools are enforcement and education.

The efforts to reduce road accidents have The efforts to reduce road accidents have led to:led to: A comprehensive legislative frameworkA comprehensive legislative framework Better information on statisticsBetter information on statistics Media campaignsMedia campaigns

Collaboration between agencies (ADT and Collaboration between agencies (ADT and Police).Police).

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

maria.attard@maltatransport.commaria.attard@maltatransport.comwww.maltatransport.comwww.maltatransport.com