Responsible use of roads

I refer to Karin M. Zammit Manduca's letter (September 16).

Let us not place blame where blame might not lie! Let us examine all the facts before we act and talk rashly!

If anything, an eye-opener is long overdue with regards to a lot of drivers and pedestrians.

I am both a driver and, on occasion, a pedestrian and have witnessed grossly bad behaviour by drivers, who frequently disobey road regulations and civil, normal, road behaviour. I have also seen pedestrians who would rather cross the road five metres away from a zebra crossing or traffic lights than make the effort and walk the five metres to have a safe crossing!

With regard to the use of traffic lights, I use the traffic lights near Hal Mann in Lija on a daily basis. Needless to say I wait for the lights to turn green for pedestrians. Thank God I do, you would not believe how many times I would have been run over if I had dared to step onto the road while the lights were not in my favour. One will, most often, find the odd car speeding the last few metres to avoid a one-minute wait at the lights.

How many countless victims have to die before we realise that if we all obey the rules we can avoid most accidents? How many letters and complaints must be written and raised before we realise individually that by setting a good example we can try to change the bad habits that are prevalent in our society? Speed, anger, road rage, jay-walking... these do nothing to help.

Rules and regulations are there for a reason! Let's collectively open our eyes and act instead of complaining.

Last and valid point, my brother died in a car accident a few years ago; he was neither a driver nor a pedestrian when he died. He happened to be a passenger in the car that crashed... he was yet another innocent victim!

Let's not point fingers, let's set a good example by our actions.