Tuesday, 5th August 2008

Urgent need for traffic lights

Joe Buttigieg, Sliema

How many more deaths does the ADT need to justify installing traffic lights on the stretch of road between the Tower and Surfside in Sliema? Unfortunately, a 70-year-old lady was hit by a car last week and died.

A few years ago I had lobbied for the above and spoken to the ADT, ministers, police and Sliema council but my efforts fell on deaf ears, so I gave up.

If an ADT official were to be sent to this road at any time of day, but especially at night, he would see that only one out of three motorists stop at the zebra crossing near the Diplomat Hotel, and if someone stops, one in 10 of the other motorists will try and overtake.

The spotlight at the pelican lights that should shine on the zebra crossing, so motorists can see it easily, has been shining into the eyes of the hotel's barman for nine months. Sometimes I wonder why we have a council.

I believe that if proper traffic lights were installed at a point between the Tower and Surfside, accidents and fatalities could be avoided.

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Comments

Joseph Spiteri (on 5/8/08)

At least you do have a zebra crossing, What about the bypass at Qormi, near Flamingo. To cross the road there, one has to time oncoming traffic on one carriageway and dash across the road to the centrestrip , which is only about 60cms wide. While standing on the centrestrip,traffic is speeding past from both sides. If one were to lose balance and fall on either side, it would surely be the end. Then,after waiting on the centrestrip for a break in traffic on the next carriageway,one has to dash across to the opposite side. Do we need to witness a fatality on this stretch of road for the authorities to react? There are shops on both sides of the road, so this area is frequented by many throughout the day.

Joe Tabone-Adami (on 5/8/08)

"Sometimes i wonder why we have a Council" Where, in Sliema my dear chap? What Council? Is it the council of the three little monkeys covering eyes, ears, and mouth? Seems like it!