Xemxija speed camera

In reply to my contribution regarding the installation of the speed camera at Xemxija Hill, Joseph Fenech chose to address the numerous traffic-related problems towards me, instead of the competent authority responsible for the traffic management of our roads (April 14). I can empathise with Mr Fenech on most of the points he mentioned, though I still strongly believe that the speed camera will change little, if anything.

Only a short while after this camera was installed, another fatal accident occurred regardless of the fact that the speed camera has been in force for a few months. Traffic accidents will happen again, with or without speed cameras. The only difference since its inception is that hundreds of motorists have been slapped with fines and the vast majority of them were surely not overtaking, driving recklessly or at dangerous speeds.

Driving through this road many times a day, I cannot but notice the new driving trends bought about by the speed camera. Drivers are simply driving towards the camera at "normal" speed then braking abruptly just before (in the case of the down hill direction) then once out of range, accelerating away again. The same is happening in the uphill direction. Drivers are driving slowly up towards the speed camera, then as soon as they pass the evil eye, a quick change of gears and a good dose of exhaust later, off they go on their merry way.

What has changed, may ask Mr Fenech? A speed camera will not stop or deter a drunk driver. A speed camera will not instil proper road sense in someone who crosses the road haphazardly, even if using the very badly designed pedestrian crossing which is a death trap in itself, being situated halfway down a very steep hill. A car can easily skid driving down a poor surface, even at 40 kmh and unfortunately, even at that speed, it would probably be fatal for a pedestrian crossing the road at that time.

These are the things that money should be spent on. Proper road design, proper traffic-calming implements, proper road surfaces and camber and serious, constructive enforcement of driving regulations regulated and enforced by competent persons.

Mr Fenech praised the mayor of St Paul's Bay for having the safety of his constituents at heart and I too would one day like to do the same, especially if this civic minded mayor chooses to install speed/surveillance cameras at other strategic sites such as Mosta Road, St Paul's Bay near the bakery or Main Street, St Paul's Bay together with Islets Promenade and Bay Square, Bugibba.

I then would praise the mayor, though I doubt that my recommendations will be heeded.

One last comment to Mr Fenech. No, I am not an irresponsible driver. I do not drive fast. I have 25 years of safe driving experience behind me, both in Malta and abroad. I was caught out by the speed camera on one of the first days after it was installed, without a proper awareness campaign as should be the case if drivers are to be educated and not just taxed, solely to make up for shortfalls in revenue by a somewhat over-burdened local council. Might the fact of an approaching local council election have had something to do with the fact that this camera was installed in such a hurry? After all, the grievances mentioned by Mr Fenech have not started to occur overnight.

Years have passed and only the occasional crash barrier installed after a few lucky escapes. I, like Mr Fenech and the mayor, have the safety of my fellow people at heart, though I firmly believe that gimmicks such as this beloved speed camera will not solve the problems.

Studies in the UK prove that speed cameras are not a constructive deterrent. Some researchers even pointed out that the use of speed cameras may actually cause some drivers to use an aggressive mode of driving when accelerating faster to make up for lost time. Time will tell and, most sincerely, I hope I'm proven wrong.