Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/926403
maltatoday SUNDAY 14 JANUARY 2018 News 13 Ten traffic laws Maltese drivers tend to forget being, said that while it is difficult to ascertain changes in the genera- tion's behaviour, he is sceptical that local youths are reflecting any global trends. He notes that the previous gen- eration of teenagers didn't work as much, whereas today's teens show high levels of employment, which means that they have far more spending money to spend on alco- hol and recreational drugs. "Teenagers nowadays are working a lot more than my generation did when we were their age, so this gives them a lot more liberty to spend it in this manner than we did." An influx of foreigners and inter- national students has also changed demographics and drug habits, Azz- opardi notes. Azzopardi also stressed the fact that drug trends are not stable. In the 1990s, he said, drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) were very popu- lar, and while this is no longer the case today, other types of recrea- tional substances have entered the mainstream. So while youths of a certain class might be more aware of their ap- pearance on social media, the fact that certain recreational drugs have moved down the social ladder means that they are more wide- spread socially. "Drugs such as cocaine used to be reserved for the upper class, while nowadays such a drug is more ac- cessible to the people. The indica- tions are clear, the drug market is increasing and there is more de- mand." In fact, the 2017 EMCDDA country drug report for Malta shows that the number of illicit drug seizures has doubled between 2009 and 2015. In terms of quanti- ty, in 2015, cannabis resin, cocaine, heroin and MDMA were seized in larger amounts than in 2014. Clearly, drug and alcohol abuse are alive and well and will prob- ably not be going away any time soon. But there's a segment of the younger generation that is not as quick to resort to alcohol abuse and illicit substances as before, in part due to being held accountable by social media. "I think drinking has actually be- come more socially acceptable, but young people have become more cautious because of social media," Angele says, a sentiment echoed by Marton. "Everything is caught on video nowadays and the internet does not forget," he said. "But it's a so- cial and generational issue, com- pounded with a bit of economic factors. It's bound to get compli- cated." MARIA PACE A video clip doing the rounds on- line claiming people who smoke while driving will face a €50 fine caused outrage and confusion earlier this week. In the video, Police Union chief Sandro Camilleri said that a new law would be enforced claiming that people smoking behind the wheel could face a €50 fine. Camilleri later clarified his re- marks, insisting no new law was going to pass, and that it has always been illegal to smoke while driving. Although it has been illegal for years, Camilleri's comment caught many off guard, with quite a few people criticising the law for un- necessary interfering in people's private lives. Since people didn't know smok- ing was illegal, we trawled the traf- fic regulation ordinance and the highway code for any illegalities you didn't know about. Here are 10 laws to abide by while driving: Hands where I can see them Put that sausage roll away! Smok- ing, eating, drinking and apply- ing make-up are all illegal while driving. All these could distract the driver from the road and are considered to be a contravention which carries a fine of €11.65. Us- ing a mobile phone while driving carries a €100 fine, while drivers caught smoking with children in the car could face a €50 fine. Don't forget to wash your car after a rainy week! Are your friends drawing detailed pictured on your vehicle? Cars need to be kept in a good state of repair, cleanliness and decency in all its parts and accessories. This means that a driver could face a fine if the car is too dirty. Pay those fines If you're about to renew your li- cence and have any outstanding fines, the authorities could with- hold from renewing your vehicle's road licence until you pay the fine or penalty. Don't forget to check! Every driver of a vehicle used for hire or reward has to wear an identification tag "in a conspicuous place on his breast". When catch- ing that cab on your night out, make sure your driver is licensed and ready to go. Stay in your lane Don't keep changing lanes! Driv- ers should stay on the left lane, unless overtaking or turning right. While most Maltese drivers don't do so, it's important to signal in good time and check if it is safe before changing lane. You can- not overtake when approaching a pedestrian crossing, traffic lights, a road junction, a sharp corner or bend, the brow of a hill or a hidden dip. Honk if you're… in a real emergency. I know you might be really mad, but sound your horn as sparingly as possible in residential areas. In areas when the sounding of horns is prohibited at all times, and in all inhabited areas between 11pm and 6am, you may only sound the horn in a real emergency. This is a strange one… Although most won't encounter such a situation, it's interesting to know that it is illegal to trans- port corpses in cars not licensed to do so. "No vehicle destined for the conveyance of persons shall be used for the conveyance of corpses," the law reads. Using your vehicle for purposes other than licensed can carry a fine of €34.94, so don't forget to call the undertaker in time. Don't tow your own A driver can only tow another vehicle with the necessary li- cence. When towing, the driver must ensure that the towing ve- hicle's registration number and the 'On Tow' sign are displayed at the rear of the caravan or trail- er. Slower isn't always better. We know driving too fast is bad, but driving too slow could also cause traffic. Driving up to 15km/h over the limit carries a €34.94 fine, whereas driving over 15km/h over the limit carries a €69.88 fine. The Highway Code also instructs drivers not to drive at a speed below the average speed of traffic. The forgotten rule! Before turning a corner or an approached cross-road, the driv- er should slow down, and signal the direction he intends to pro- ceed using the indicator. However, most drivers seem to forget that this is a law on Mal- tese roads. People criticising the law for unnecessary interfering in people's private lives The Department of Justice within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government is receiving expressions of interest for the following to serve as court experts: • Experts in IT • Experts to give Digital Forensic Consultancy (with an emphasis in examination of digital equipment e.g. computers) • Fingerprint experts • Experts in mobile data area • Experts in investigations of fraud and commercial crimes • Technical experts/periti komputistici - auditors and accountants • International Tax Experts • Experts in Financial Services (investments/insurance/banking) both substantive and regulatory • Forensic accountants • Experts in handwriting • Experts in Sports Law • Legal Experts in certain technical/very specific matters and/or foreign jurisdictions or transborder issues • Experts related in Health and Safety • Experts in toxicology and pathologists • Experts on forensic medicine • Experts in DNA and Genetics • Medical experts including doctors, dentists • Experts in actuarial science • Experts to serve in Civil Court, Family Section • Social Workers for Supervision and Social Workers for Social Reports • Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, Family Therapist, Child Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Social Workers • Psychotherapists experienced in the field of drug addiction and youth • Translators and Interpreters particularly in Spanish • Interpreters particularly from Chinese-English, French-English, Swedish- English • Experts in mechanical work (motor mechanics) • Experts in mechanical engineering • Experts in electrical engineering • Experts in civil / structural engineering / materials • Architects • Traffic Experts • Marine Experts • Aviation Experts • Experts in Sub-acqua diving • Experts in Security • Experts in Property • Experts on Procurement (related to property) • Experts in Assessment of Building Value • Restoration Experts • Succession Experts • Experts in Patents • Experts in Environment • Experts in Meteorology • Music Experts (Copyright Infringement) • Experts in the Audiovisual Sector • Experts in valuables, i.e. gold, diamonds etc ... • Experts on vehicles and Motorvehicle Surveyors • Experts in wood working, i.e. carpentry Expressions of interest must be received by the 28th February, 2018 and must include the following: (a) Motivational Letter in own handwriting and including a clear indication of the area of expertise; (b) Europass Curriculum Vitae, and, (c) A recent police conduct certificate. Expressions of interest are the be addressed to: The Officer in Charge Court Experts Unit Dept of Justice (Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Govt) 21 Archbishop Street Valletta VLT 1443