Traffic contraventions

I refer to the letter "Fining the law abiding" (July 12) by Mario Mallia, to make the following observations:

1. Following a number of queries by numerous individuals, I felt it appropriate to point out that the letter in question was not penned by me but by my namesake, also a resident of Birkirkara.

2. The title of the piece "Fining the law abiding" seems to me to be contradicting the content of the letter itself. For if the car was parked on yellow lines, as the writer conceded, then that is a contravention. It is not law abiding, even if in general, Mr Mallia is a responsible citizen.

The warden system may have its shortcomings. However, I am sure that my namesake realises that with the over-saturated traffic situation in our roads, coupled with an overall callous disregard for discipline, we need to have deterrents. We are desperately in need of more order.

Yellow lines may be a nuisance if they happen to be in front of a stationery but their presence is not arbitrary or indeed haphazard. They are a way of minimising the possibility of having cars turning a corner only to ram into a wrongly parked car. Forty-five seconds (the duration of the contravention in question) is a short time but it may be enough to cause a serious accident, which I am certain Mr Mallia would want to avoid.

3. The letter also throws the warden service to the dogs, because as the letter suggests, the service is raising funds from minor offences and disregarding other inconveniences, such as obstruction by street vendors, trucks, government vehicles, abrupt turning, etc.

While such a situation would be unjust because the law should apply equally to everyone, on the other hand, two wrongs would not make a right. My contravention is no less a contravention or a danger because others do not happen to get booked. Indeed, the rationale for avoiding contraventions is not a fear of getting a ticket but because a free for all can cause an inconvenience, a danger or, worst of all, an injury.

If there are any other arrangements by which the parking situation in the vicinity of the old church area in Birkirkara can be made better within the confines of the law, then I invite Mr Mallia to communicate with me or the local council offices to shares his views. We would be glad to listen.