Despite this being the 'silly' season, with many of us having had a quiet week (or possibly a shutdown), general correspondence and even several opinion writers have picked on an automotive theme over the past fortnight. I never fail to be amazed by how important personal transport is to the Maltese (and Gozitans), independently, I venture to say, of the public transport system.
The issue of road rage, raised is one article, is quite apposite for this time of the year. Despite the proliferation of creature comforts in many new vehicles, including air-conditioning and power steering (not to mention highly comfortable seats), everyone always seems to be in a hurry. Most cars are stronger, with higher crash resistance than those that are even ten to 20 years old, and have quite a bit of power. It is not only the petrols that are quick off the mark but also diesels, thanks to turbocharging.
So, never underestimate the damage you can do and, more significantly, how much harder it is to get a vehicle to stop once you build a certain amount of momentum - although, admittedly, brakes are also more effective. Cars are designed to absorb impacts but even a low-speed shunt can cause hundreds of liri of damage, like the bumper to bumper knock I saw between an SUV (sports utility vehicle) and a small hatchback on the Floriana War Memorial roundabout.
What is worse is to allow ourselves to throw a tantrum - road rage - at the least provocation, shouting at other road users and using foul language, or even physically attacking them. I always like to say that people very often adopt a different 'personality' when they drive a car, allowing the adrenalin caused by being in a moving vehicle to get the better of them.
Some hints that were given in one contribution are worth repeating, and I will add a few of my own:
• allow plenty of time for your journey;
• if you are starting 'late', do not expect to arrive on time. Call ahead so that you will be expected late;
• do not allow the fact that you are late to add to any accumulated stress you may be experiencing. Try to de-stress or turn the situation to a positive by looking on the bright side of any situation;
• do not allow yourself to be drawn into an argument. Swallow your pride and do not stand up or challenge aggressive drivers, who may have a firearm or other weapon underneath their car seat;
• do not stand in the way or try to match the aggressive driving of 'road hogs', or conversely to allow Sunday drivers hogging the outer lane at 40 km/h or less on a dual carriageway to get under your skin. Diplomacy is the key;
• do not maintain eye contact with aggressive drivers or return rude gestures. This is an act of self-preservation, simply to stay safe since you cannot argue with certain 'types'; and
• stay externally calm and non-aggressive, although this may not be how you are feeling inside.
All this, I will be the first to admit, is easier said than done. I have found that, if you are constantly caught in traffic, changing your travel times (or picking an alternative route) may help.
A Maltese-Australian criticised us for our driving. A lot of what he said makes sense, but I always say that a lot of what happens on the roads boils down to education. It is not only about raising the standards of the driving test, but also reaching established drivers with bad habits. Incidentally, using a mobile phone while driving is an offence and you will find wardens on several roundabouts waiting to 'pounce' on anyone who does.
The payment of registration tax on second-hand cars imported from the European Union would require an editorial in itself. I believe this should be seen in the wider context of registration tax on all vehicles, including new ones, and this particular aspect or EU legislation should not be adopted without a total overhaul of our imported car tax system (introduced when VAT replaced import duty).
In conclusion, I draw the attention of the Roads Department to the concrete blocks that were used to wall off a field in the widened part of Triq il-Qasam, Swieqi, leading up to San Gwann. They were badly effected in the June storm and need to be seen to before the customary September/October storms are on us.
The issue of road rage, raised is one article, is quite apposite for this time of the year. Despite the proliferation of creature comforts in many new vehicles, including air-conditioning and power steering (not to mention highly comfortable seats), everyone always seems to be in a hurry. Most cars are stronger, with higher crash resistance than those that are even ten to 20 years old, and have quite a bit of power. It is not only the petrols that are quick off the mark but also diesels, thanks to turbocharging.
So, never underestimate the damage you can do and, more significantly, how much harder it is to get a vehicle to stop once you build a certain amount of momentum - although, admittedly, brakes are also more effective. Cars are designed to absorb impacts but even a low-speed shunt can cause hundreds of liri of damage, like the bumper to bumper knock I saw between an SUV (sports utility vehicle) and a small hatchback on the Floriana War Memorial roundabout.
What is worse is to allow ourselves to throw a tantrum - road rage - at the least provocation, shouting at other road users and using foul language, or even physically attacking them. I always like to say that people very often adopt a different 'personality' when they drive a car, allowing the adrenalin caused by being in a moving vehicle to get the better of them.
Some hints that were given in one contribution are worth repeating, and I will add a few of my own:
• allow plenty of time for your journey;
• if you are starting 'late', do not expect to arrive on time. Call ahead so that you will be expected late;
• do not allow the fact that you are late to add to any accumulated stress you may be experiencing. Try to de-stress or turn the situation to a positive by looking on the bright side of any situation;
• do not allow yourself to be drawn into an argument. Swallow your pride and do not stand up or challenge aggressive drivers, who may have a firearm or other weapon underneath their car seat;
• do not stand in the way or try to match the aggressive driving of 'road hogs', or conversely to allow Sunday drivers hogging the outer lane at 40 km/h or less on a dual carriageway to get under your skin. Diplomacy is the key;
• do not maintain eye contact with aggressive drivers or return rude gestures. This is an act of self-preservation, simply to stay safe since you cannot argue with certain 'types'; and
• stay externally calm and non-aggressive, although this may not be how you are feeling inside.
All this, I will be the first to admit, is easier said than done. I have found that, if you are constantly caught in traffic, changing your travel times (or picking an alternative route) may help.
A Maltese-Australian criticised us for our driving. A lot of what he said makes sense, but I always say that a lot of what happens on the roads boils down to education. It is not only about raising the standards of the driving test, but also reaching established drivers with bad habits. Incidentally, using a mobile phone while driving is an offence and you will find wardens on several roundabouts waiting to 'pounce' on anyone who does.
The payment of registration tax on second-hand cars imported from the European Union would require an editorial in itself. I believe this should be seen in the wider context of registration tax on all vehicles, including new ones, and this particular aspect or EU legislation should not be adopted without a total overhaul of our imported car tax system (introduced when VAT replaced import duty).
In conclusion, I draw the attention of the Roads Department to the concrete blocks that were used to wall off a field in the widened part of Triq il-Qasam, Swieqi, leading up to San Gwann. They were badly effected in the June storm and need to be seen to before the customary September/October storms are on us.