Roads that rip us off

This photo bears high resemblance to the lunar landscape, however it was shot on our planet and particularly on our island. The road in question is Vjal il-Ħaddiem in Rabat.

This road has never been maintained throughout the years and its state is beyond comprehension. Although four years have elapsed since joining the EU, the benefits of such membership have not manifested themselves in better rural and urban roads and safety. Maltese motorists contribute €40 million in road tax every year but the real investment in our roads is far less. I believe that these funds are badly managed or rather used for other purposes.

The road infrastructure of a country reveals the level of that country's progress and I am afraid to conclude that in our country the majority of our roads are not up to EU standard, especially the new ones. A friend of mine has imported his car from the UK and the car's ABS Breaking System was continuously in operation on major Maltese roads.

The car's sensors were continuously stopping the vehicle as the ABS was informing the computer that the roads were dangerously constructed. The owner of the car had to remove the ABS system.

If the government is not utilising the road tax for the benefit of the citizens then I believe that we are being ripped off.