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Better Safe than Sorry...don’t drink and drive!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Agenzija Sedqa and the Rotaract La Vallette Malta joined forces for a campaign to promote responsibility amongst all drivers during this festive period. During a press conference held today to launch this campaign, the message put forward was clear – don’t drink and drive! Billboards have already been put up in 2 prime locations, namely Marsa and St. Julian’s, for the attention of the public.
This is part of a series of events and initiatives that Sedqa and the Rotaract La Valette Malta will be collaborating on over the next few months. These joint projects include the production of an interactive CD for Secondary School Students and the production of a booklet on the harm of substance abuse during pregnancy.

In term 2009-2010, lead by Club President Joseph Meli-Attard, Rotaract Club Malta La Valette, committed itself to 17 Community initiatives engaging itself in projects in the field of the Environment, Education, Humanitarian, Philanthropy, Sport and Culture. Rotaractors utilise their free time for service project work, social events, and professional and leadership development workshops.

Addressing those present at the launch. Mr. Francis Borg – Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Social Policy, commended this joint activity and appealed for responsibility in driving not only during this festive season but throughout the year, while referring to the number of traffic accidents and casualties emanating from driving under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Borg concluded his address by appealing to the media present to support information campaigns to educate the public while also to be sensitive when reporting on social cases.

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Sina Bugeja – CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services – commended the collaboration by the Rotaract La Valette Malta and its social responsibility. Alcohol abuse and drinking and driving is one of the areas that Agenzija Sedqa never stops working on, primarily through prevention and educational programmes supported by publicity campaigns.

Mr. Jesmond Schembri, Sedqa Operations Director emphasised the importance of having private entities supporting causes such as a campaign against drinking and driving. Mr. Schembri also referred to the Agency’s work in educating the public about such issues. Apart from prevention programmes in schools, the community and the workplace, Sedqa also collaborates with various entities – one of which is the ADT (Malta Transport Authority). Since December 2003, Sedqa’s Prevention Team has been delivering sessions about drugs, alcohol and driving, on a regular basis to applicants for the special driving licence for public transport, including bus drivers, mini bus drivers, taxi drivers and horse carriage drivers. So far, 125 courses have been delivered, reaching around 2,100 candidates.

Agenzija Sedqa and the Rotaract La Vallette Malta representatives during the launch of the campaign

During the Press Conference, Agenzija Sedqa also called out on the authorities to review the current legislation that sets 80mgs alcohol per decilitre of blood as the allowable limit for driving purposes, recommending that this goes down to 50mgs/dec instead. The current limit is one of the highest levels of blood alcohol content permissible in the EU member states, along with the UK and Ireland. The Irish will almost certainly be enacting legislation to lower the limit to 50mgs early in 2010. Out of the 27 EU member states, 16 have a limit of 50mgs/dec, while 8 have a level ranging from 0mgs/dec to 20mgs/dec. The reason behind this recommendation, which Sedqa has been pushing practically since its inception, is based on research and experience, which have shown that the lower the limit, the lower the number of fatal traffic accidents.

Furthermore, Sedqa calls for the revision of current regulations which do not allow the Police to administer breathalyzer tests at their discretion. Statistics show that arraignments in Court for drink-driving average about 10 a month – surely not a representation of the real situation especially when it is common knowledge that unfortunately many people drink and drive.

Educational campaigns such as the one launched today and the continuous efforts carried out within the community throughout the year by Agenzija Sedqa, would certainly have a role in the efforts to influence drinking and driving patterns and behaviour, but it is also a known-fact that as far as alcohol misuse is concerned, legal and coercive measures are even more effective in changing behavior.

Rotaract Club Malta was officially founded on the 28 June 2006. It is sponsored by the two local Rotary clubs being Rotary Club La Valette Malta and Rotary Club Malta and is part of the Sicily-Malta District 2110. For more info please visit www.rotaractmalta.org or the Rotaract Club Malta La Valette facebook group.

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