Updating the Highway Code

Pierre P. Vella Executive Chairman Malta Road Safety Council

Malta can be applauded for its history; being, a small island in the Mediterranean which is adorned with a historical event at every village and town, the island boaostsfrom of an array of rulers who over the years wanted to make this jewel in the ever blueever-blue sea, theirs to hold and rule. This is what made Malta famous over the years with the history that was left behind, with most of it beingand most of it impressibllye preserved. But apart from this historical aspect, there is also another historical fact, this which iswas not tiedup to any ruler but emerged probably later in the years, relating to , the means of transportation known as, the motor car.

Malta has one of the highest registered national vehicle fleet per capita in the EU, such that by the end of 2020, the national vehicle fleet stood at 394, 955. Compared to the island’s population, the national vehicle fleet is quite large. One cannot deny the fact that the private car is an essential commoditycommodity, but this brings with it a number of responsibilities, especially on the driver. and tThe respective obligationsthat haves to be shown towards the public, particularly towards other road users, throughin being consciousence towards and contributinge towards road safety.

The figures in question do not transcribe to the amountnumber of drivers in our country because it is a known fact that a good number of people own more than one motorcar, but. Ssomewhere in throughout our life, likely and this happened mostly towards our eighteenthour eighteenth birthday, most of us felt the desire or need to get ourselves a driving licensce.

Besides the practical driving lessons, driving licence students have to sit for a Theory Test which in the current prevailing circumstances is being carried out online. Acquiring knowledge on driving skills,and getting familiar with our national traffic regulations, and ultimately studying for this test, is all based on a document or booklet known as the Highway Code.

This document is considered to beas the “bible” for all road drivers and road users. It is the point of reference and the document, where road markings and traffic signs are listed and explained. And since the Code also explains driving procedures, driving methodology and other relevant information for drivers including road ethics,definitely this is definitely a document that one has to look at in great detail, especially when a driving licence studentts appliesy to sit for a driving test.

But how did this document come around and what is its history? Our National Highway Code is an inheritance from the British Highway Code having which originated in the 1930, and it was inherited due to the fact that Malta was a British colonythrough which we also inherited on whichside of the roadwe drive, what we call the right way, Malta kept its tiesour ties with the British monarchy obyf driving like the British, on the left side of the road.

The Highway Code consists of explanations, advicse and mandatory rules on how one has to behave whilst driving on the road, and not; not just when sitting behind thea steering wheel of a car, but also when driving or riding a motorbike, when paddling on a bicycle or even when walking on the street. Most of what is written in the Highway Code is also reflected in our traffic regulations, by which one has to abide.

Locally, the document is not lawbiddinglegally binding, although most of the content included in it does reflect our traffic regulationssuch as, for examplefor example, the One Way or No Entry traffic sign means that one cannot drive through that street and if one does so and gets caught, receives he shall get a hefty fine. Similarly, national speed limits are also indicated and if one is caught exceeding those limits, he is finedfined, and points are deducted through the penalty point system. This and which canmay lead tofor the suspension of the driving licence if such points are exceeded.

However, there have beenwere a few cases during court sittings where the magistrate referred to the Highway Code to pass judgement. Unfortunately, this document is only referred to or studied when one is preparing to undertake the driving licensce Theory Test and much of its content is forgotten over time. The Highway Code is a document which one needs to refer to even after the driving licencse is obtained. Similarly, the document is to be updated from time to -time to reflect any changes in the regulations as well as general updating that is carried out, such as in traffic signs and road markings, new modes of transport, and new transport-related technologies. Because of The fact that Malta is also a member of the European Union, some changes also may need to be made to reflected in this regard.

It is for this purpose, that the Malta Road Safety Council andtogether with Transport Malta have embarked taken upon thea rigorous exercise to update and streamline the current Highway Code to reflect the current realities of today. The consideration of whether it is also time to do away with this current, affectionally named document that still links us to our colonial past, particularly in the absence of highways as part of our road network, is something to be still discussed in this updating process.

DRIVE WELL AND DRIVE SAFELY. YOUR ATTITUDE ON THE ROAD MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO KEEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS, STAY SAFE.