A European Road Safety Charter presentation and signing event was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta on October 23rd, 2008. Maltese companies, associations and non-governmental organisations attended the event, which focused on the country’s goals to increase road safety through improved awareness, infrastructure and the commitments of 11 new European Road Safety Charter signatories.
The Hon. Austin Gatt, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications gave a presentation at the event on road safety priorities in Malta, in which he reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to the Charter:
“Today, I am proud to say that 11 Maltese organisations have taken up the European challenge to help contribute to the saving of 25,000 lives across Europe through the pledge to take concrete action to reduce road traffic accidents.”
The Hon. Mr Gatt also insisted that Malta still has much work to do to create a safer environment on its roads, and explained that the country has “undergone the unenviable transition from having one of the lowest levels of motorisation in Europe to having the highest with just under 300,000 vehicles licensed on the roads (76% of which are private vehicles).”
Mr. Edward Demicoli, Press Officer of the European Commission Representation in Malta opened the presentation and signing event with a welcome and introduction to participants.
Mrs. María Teresa Sanz Villegas, European Commission Project Officer, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, highlighted that Malta is the smallest country in the EU and has one of the lowest per capita traffic fatality rates with 25 deaths per million.
“However, when comparing the nation’s travel behaviour, such as distances travelled, speed and road infrastructure to that of other member states, the number of fatalities is relatively high. Much work remains to be done to reduce accidents on Malta’s roads”, she said.
To conclude the event, eleven entities each signed unique commitments to the European Road Safety Charter. The signatories are as follows: Mqabba Local Council, Euro-Med Movement, Old Motors Club Malta, Institute of Hospitality Malta, Public Transport Association, Kercem Local Council, The Malta Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise, Malta Cycling Federation, The Sense Group, Malta Union of Teachers, and the Qrendi Scout Group.