Malta to Curb Fatigued Driving in Cab Sector with 12-Hour Work Limit System

Malta to Curb Fatigued Driving in Cab Sector with 12-Hour Work Limit System

To reduce driver fatigue and thereby raise road safety, Transport Malta (TM) is creating a mechanism to prevent cab drivers from working over 12 hours continuously.

Confirming the plan, a TM spokesman said fatigued drivers create a major safety risk for themselves, passengers, and other road users. The present system puts enforcement in the hands of single ride hailing companies, therefore restricting monitoring: a driver can lawfully work 12 hours for one app then quickly change to another and drive on without a break.

Long Hours, Little Sleep

Twelve-hour shifts are normal, especially in peak summer months, according to industry sources. Some drivers are reported to work for many sites over many days, napping in their vehicles between shifts. Growing worries among authorities as well as the general public have been caused by this loop hole.

Part of a Wider Crackdown

This most recent action follows TM’s larger plan to increase enforcement in the quickly expanding cab business. Authorities revoked hundreds of operator licences in January for erroneous information about garage addresses—legally necessary for vehicle storage. Many operators listed bogus or random addresses and were fined as inspections started.

1,400 cabs were removed from the roads during the first crackdown.

Many operators, however, challenged in court and were given temporary permission to keep working. These instances still continue.

For people to report illegally parked Y plate vehicles, which by law cannot be left on public roads when not in use, TM has also established public reporting channels.

Rapid Industry Growth