Slightly less than half of those responding to an on-line poll by The Times are not convinced that a tougher driving test would be translated into safer roads, pointing out that law enforcement and potholes were an important consideration too.
A poll on The Times website showed that while 54.16 per cent believed a tougher driving test would lead to safer roads, 27.6 per cent thought it would not necessarily be the case and 18.24 per cent said no.
The question posted was: do you think a tougher driving test will make for safer roads? It was prompted by a report that Malta's driving test was no longer an easy ride, with more than half the applicants failing the test, that became tougher last year in conformity with EU directives.
The Malta Transport Authority said the pass rate stood at a mere 42.5 per cent, as against 98 per cent in the past.
Comments made by respondents to the online poll were very diverse and charged with emotion.
A British person who joined the debate insisted that Maltese drivers knew the rules but chose to ignore them and another pointed out it was a question of attitude and arrogance.
One woman insisted that unless there was better enforcement of traffic regulations and tougher sentences for those who broke the law, the roads would remain unsafe.
"Better roads will make safer roads - no matter what type of test is carried out, we'll still be dodging bucket-sized potholes," one man noted.
This sentiment was echoed by another who said that the only way to make them safe was by repairing "our miserable roads". "There are various dangers from huge potholes, uneven surfaces and slippery tarmac. Making tougher tests and filling the roads with speed cameras just adds to the drivers' frustrations, which ultimately lead to opposite results," he said.
Another felt that no matter how difficult a driving test was, nobody could teach you what you learnt through experience. "Experience comes with age and maturity. Perhaps the minimum driving age should be set at 25, when common sense should have overcome the stupidity of youth," one respondent commented.
A foreigner said he visited Malta several times and each time he found that driving just got worse and worse. "Very few respect traffic lights or the right of way. I also believe tougher sentences should be handed down and a system of penalty points introduced...," he said.
On the other hand one woman pointed out it was not the new drivers that were the problem but older ones who were overly confident and drove too fast.
"Tougher driving tests are only going to impact new drivers. The older drivers, who are extremely set in their ways, will not change their driving habits," another woman said.
Others believed that a tougher driving test was a sure way of making the roads safer because there were many drivers who had no clue what the road signs meant or that indicators existed.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea if all the drivers had to retake their test. It would show that the majority have no idea of what the highway code is all about," one respondent noted.
www.timesofmalta.com