Overhead bridges deemed safest for pedestrians

Overhead bridges are the most effective way to make crossing roads safer, according to 62 per cent of respondents in an online poll by The Times.

Another 23 per cent said underpasses are most effective, while and 15 per cent chose pelican lights. The poll lasted eight days.

Although many respondents sang the praises of overhead bridges, they also admitted that these were expensive to build and could be an eye sore. Some said that bridges actually pose other dangers in themselves, being the perfect platform for vandals to throw objects from at passing traffic.

Moreover, overhead bridges would not be easily accessible for to the elderly, wheelchair-bound people and those pushing children in prams or pushchairs.

"It is not possible to build bridges everywhere."

Most of the respondents who commented on underpasses questioned their safety, saying that there have been people who were sexually harassed.

"No lighting, no cameras for security and no good adequate facilities for people with special needs. Without these, underpasses end up as a hellhole for vandals and criminals," one respondent said.

Another said people prefer to risk their lives to cross the road near Portes des Bombes rather than using the underpass.

"Introducing closed circuit cameras in all subways would make them more secure, and people would start using them."

However, another respondent said that not even with CCTV cameras would make underpasses be 100 per cent safe.

Comments were also posted about on the need for pedestrians to be careful when crossing the road.

"All pedestrians need to understand that they are responsible for their own lives," one respondent said, while and another commented that wardens must first start warning and then fining people who do not make use of available facilities to cross the road.

Some respondents complained about the pelican lights in St Anne Street, Floriana.

"Vehicles should be allowed to move on without any stops at pelican lights," one said. Another commented that these were hampering traffic , and wondered why people did not use the subways instead.

One respondent said the best way to make Maltese roads safer is by educating drivers, eliminating all the potholes and improving the roads system and also reducing the volume of traffic.

The current online poll asks whether the country is cleaner and more organised than it was a year ago.