Kirkop speed humps (1)

Frans Buhagiar (The Sunday Times, September 9) should have asked the local council several questions before he penned his subjective letter.

Why were motorists ignoring the traffic signs in Kirkop? Why did residents request the speed humps? How much damage was done in the village core due to overspeeding? Why are parents so concerned and afraid to let their children play in Triq Il-Lewziet as hundreds of motorists drive so fast through this road?

Why did senior citizens request the speed humps? How are some young motorists reacting when they are approached by the elderly and are asked to drive more cautiously?

Do the people know that there were incidents in Kirkop where senior citizens were bullied by arrogant motorists as the elderly protested about their negligent driving and overspeeding? Do people know that in Kirkop there are vehicles driven by irresponsible drivers, who owe hundreds of liri in fines to various local councils and they do not care about others?

Before undertaking such action to introduce the speed humps in the most vulnerable streets, the local council evaluated residents' requests holistically. It is certainly not a "stupid" decision.

As a pensioner I walk around the Kirkop streets and can vouch that the local council has engaged both the police and the local wardens to cut down the abusive driving. However, both the police and the wardens have fined motorists for many contraventions but not for overspeeding as they do not have the tools to measure the speed.

Unless a speed camera is installed (the camera costs over Lm30,000, which is beyond the council's budget) the motorists would have continued to exceed the speed limit.

If motorists, especially non-residents, are uncomfortable with slowing down and respecting the local speed limit, I suggest they make use of the peripheral roads such as Karwija Road and Valletta Road where the speed limit is much higher than that of Kirkop.