Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532462
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2025 NEWS "There is strong statistical evidence that the higher the speed at which a vehicle is driven, the higher the likelihood it will be involved in an accident. Therefore, it is natural that the more powerful the car, the higher the premium charged. Also, insurers often restrict coverage for driv- ers below a certain age for high-powered vehicles like sports cars," he said. "How- ever, this doesn't mean that owners of these vehicles don't allow young drivers to drive them, even knowing that the in- surance policy excludes them. Proper and visible enforcement on our roads would create a deterrent against this abuse." Galea was also asked whether the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which offer fast acceleration despite not having a tradi- tional engine size, has changed the way the industry assesses risk. "Motor insurers are adapting their rat- ing systems and moving away from using engine size (cubic capacity) as a main factor for assessing vehicle risk. More effective and precise methods are now used in the UK and many EU countries, where vehicles are classified according to the level of risk they present (known as Car Insurance Groups in the UK). These classifications take into account all the factors relating to the vehicle, including its power and speed," he said. Asked whether the government is con- sidering limiting engine sizes to prevent fatal accidents, a transport ministry spokesperson said it may be an option, "but on its own, it is definitely not the solution." "Intervention is needed based on the limited knowledge among drivers about the risks associated with motor vehicles with large engines. To date, the registra- tion tax on large engine internal combus- tion engine (ICE) motor vehicles is al- ready relatively high compared to smaller ones, limiting the accessibility of such ve- hicles," the spokesperson said. They also insisted that various factors affect fatalities, including vehicle size, weight, and overall safety features. "Government has provided incentives for people to buy newer cars and scrap older ones, as these come with en- hanced safety features such as mandato- ry sign-reading software. New cars, both ICE and EVs, have new technology-based safety features in line with relevant standards, which contribute to increased safety on our roads. However, education is key to ensure that these features are used properly," they concluded. people seek the thrill of driving fast? Find out more: STRENGTHENING COMPANIES IN EUROPE NextGenerationEU makes us stronger. Together, we are ensuring that European companies can prosper and create jobs. With NextGenerationEU, we are supporting small businesses to innovate and expand. The last two fatal road accidents happened outside the Kirkop tunnels (above) and in Attard (left) (Photos: Malta Police Force)