'There is no magic wand': an interview with Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugia sat down with Mark Laurence Zammit to discuss his plans to tackle traffic, road deaths and infrastructural work. 

Video: Karl Andrew Micallef

Road deaths

MLZ: We’re filming this interview just 24 hours after a driver killed a pedestrian. It is the second pedestrian fatality this year. The tragic incident follows a record number of road deaths last year – 26 in all. You are not to blame for the accidents, but you are still responsible to ensure they don’t happen. Don’t you feel somewhat responsible after seeing yesterday’s incident?

AF: I’m human, and like everyone else I am deeply saddened. I have two daughters and one of them could have been the victim yesterday. Last year’s record road deaths also say a lot. Those aren’t just numbers, but families, children, parents and siblings. This is why we have drafted a comprehensive plan with experts to have safer roads. There is no magic wand that will solve all problems. Every few seconds, someone in the world dies on the road.

MLZ: But does that make it OK for it to happen in Malta?

AF: Not at all. I meant we’re addressing this problem on a European level as well. For the first...