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MALTA will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence of drugs once new rules come into force, government's new strategy suggests. This was confirmed to Malt- aToday by the police, who said the proposed law "does not in- clude any new limits beyond those currently enforced when a drug test is carried out in se- rious incidents following the authorisation of the inquiring magistrate". Unlike with alcohol, there are currently no legal limits for drugs that are detected in the body. Government is proposing new rules to curb drink and drug driving that would see the introduction of random road- side tests and harsher penal- ties, including mandatory pris- on sentences for anyone killing someone involuntarily while driving under the influence. As things stand today, only testing for alcohol takes place and only if the police officer has reasonable suspicion. Roadside testing will now al- so take place for drugs, raising concerns among cannabis us- ers, who argue the residue of cannabis can still be traced in spit up to two days after con- sumption. Speaking to this newspaper, lawyers Adreana Zammit and Franco Debono, who special- ise in the criminal field, said that drug testing is currently only carried out through blood tests in extreme cases. They said there is a lacuna in the law which does not cater for the new roadside tests being intro- duced by government. Currently, the law only sets limit for alcohol consumption but not for cannabis which is now partially legal. The legal blood alcohol limit for most drivers is 0.5g/l of blood, while it is 0.2g/l for professional and novice drivers, and a strict 0.0g/l (zero tolerance) for bus and coach drivers. Government has already out- lined the reasoning behind a bill it intends to table in parlia- ment once the summer recess is over after a spate of fatal ac- cidents. Although the details of the bill have not yet been laid out, the response received by Mal- taToday suggests that legal alcohol limits will remain un- touched but a completely ze- ro-tolerance approach will be adopted for drugs, including cannabis. The issue remains one of concern for cannabis users since the time it takes for the substance to be traceable in the body can vary. Replying to questions by this newspaper, a police spokesper- son said testing will be con- ducted through a device that analyses a person's saliva. This will provide the police officer with an on-the-spot indication of any positive detection for specific illegal substances. The timeframe during which substances such as cannabis or cocaine remain detectable var- ies significantly and depends on several factors, including the quantity consumed, the method of intake, and individ- ual physiological differences, similar to alcohol, the spokes- person said. "The role of the police re- mains that of enforcing the legislation as approved by par- liament," they added. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has said that through legal changes, the prosecution will also have the power to request a suspension of one's driving licence while they are subject to ongoing court cases. FOR another year, the Malta Maritime Hub in Marsa will welcome thousands of participants for SiGMA Malta 2025 – one of the world's leading summits in iGaming, blockchain and fintech. This year's edition is expected to at- tract around 15,000 delegates. Despite when compared to previous editions the inflows for such event are small- er, the numbers still remain signficant and provide inevitable challenges for Malta's central and southern road net- work. As Transport Malta, we launched a comprehensive traffic management plan. Built on lessons of the past, the plan incorporates manpower organisa- tion to minimize disruption and safe- guard mobility for both residents and visitors. Between tomorrow and Wednesday 3rd September, around 100 Transport Malta enforcement officers will be de- ployed across critical zones in Marsa. Patrol motorcycles will be prompt to act swiftly to bottlenecks or minor inci- dents, while drones will monitor traffic flows in real time. Moreover, a dedicat- ed on-site TM office will be available to react immediately to any unforeseen issues that may arise. To facilitate access, marked drop-off and pick-up zones have been intro- duced. White taxis will have a desig- nated area near Identity Malta offices, chauffer-driven cars will operate from specific points away from the main en- trances, and coaches and minibuses will follow a separate route with a safe drop-off around 500 metres from the venue. Staff and organisers will have dedicated parking to reduce traffic congestion close to the gates. Through this traffic mangement plan, we want to create a safer and more or- ganised traffic flow for everyone. While traffic cannot be eliminated, our aim is to ensure that these arrangements avoid situations where vehicles stop in the middle of the road. SiGMA is now considered a flagship international event: attracting entre- preneurs, companies, start-ups and in- vestors from around the globe. For our country, the gaming industry remains a vital economic sector with a substan- tial contribution to GDP and jobs op- portunities. Yet this benefit also comes with challenges. Particularly the strain on Malta's road infrastructure. Justifibly, in the past years Marsa res- idents and surrounding areas voiced their frustration at the heavy conges- tion during SiGMA, with short trips sometimes stretching into hours. Ac- knowledging this, it is Transport Mal- ta's obligation to mitigate such impact as much as possible. Every minute of traffic contained or avoided is a win – not just for SiGMA participants, but for the Maltese public. This year's edition will once again test Malta's capability to strike balance be- tween economic ambition and every- day life. With this year's improved plan, Transport Malta hopes to turn past cri- tiscism into an example of better or- ganisation, communication and traffic management. PLAN AHEAD FOR SiGMA 2025 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 AUGUST 2025 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Zero tolerance for drugs under proposed new random roadside testing rules Government's proposed new laws to clamp down on drink and drug driving are likely to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to cannabis unlike alcohol for which legal limits are in place File photos