One dead, two critical after St Julian's traffic accident

George Casha

Sep 9th 2008, 22:06

@Michael Scott

Sorry to disappoint you Michael but the only way things change in Malta apparently are for the worst. We have been promised a better quality of life and more rights and protection once we joined the EU but we are now realising that we have been taken for a ride once again as you’ll soon find out.
You are going to have to put up with reckless driving, noisy silencers on a good number of vehicles, loud music in inhabited areas from non caring youths, smoke belching diesel powered vehicles, total disregard to traffic regulations and much more. You name it we’ve got it!
By the way, all the above are traffic contraventions, please try and jot down how many you see being booked by our “ Police “ during your “ pleasant “ stay.
Did I mention that nobody is doing anything about the ever-increasing number of new vehicles on our road? In a few years time we won’t be able to arrive to any destination, as the roads would be jammed solid. Yet we still see junks pottering along in this day and age. You are in for some very exciting times my friend.

Shaun Camilleri

Sep 9th 2008, 18:43

First of all condolences to the family.

Secondly when there is an accident it is in the papers. Why do they not write about how the police do nothing when people go obout skidding their car's tires and speeding down the main road at night (Hamrun). The police station is on the main road however they must be too busy conversing among themselves to come out and stop these people or more likely scared of them.

When there is an accident write how good the police are then and forget what they did not do before. The authorities are there only to go on the media and do their PR Speel however for us Maltese they do nothing. It is true however that many Maltese break the Law so I suppose the police are being indiscriminate to law abiding and non. On the other hand the police have more contact with those who break the law and as such must be more friendly with them; those who have had no trouble with the police are just empty faces.

It could be an EU directive which I am not informed of as yet.

Emmanuel Ebejer

Sep 9th 2008, 14:16

People are wrong to suppose or assume. I know the victim . John Agius was a member of the AFM, a good lad. He was devoted to fitness . Even at work all he consumed was water and fruit and fibre bars. John, may your GOD be with you.

D Brincat

Sep 9th 2008, 13:31

FYI, St. Andrew's Road is not in St.Julians, but in Swieqi.

My condolences to the deceased family.

John cassar

Sep 7th 2008, 23:11

What ever the cause it is very distressing when there is loss of life. So many others are affected by such a tragedy. In Australia, one is given a number of points. This is called Demerit Points. Everytime you are fined in realtion to roadlaw infringements, you lose some points. You can then be suspended from driving. It is not a right but a priveledge to drive a car. The car can kill and the driver has a duty of care to other users, pedestrians and passengers. If there are a group partying, there should be a designated driver who doesn't drink on the night. When I drive, I observe so many people talking on the mobile and even texting messages. Driving requires 100% concentration! Graphic advertising as part of an ongoing campaign should be used along with a strong police presence on the road to enforce the law. If caught there should be no mercy. The driver made a decision to break the law!

Alfred Farrugia

Sep 7th 2008, 18:20

I do not know the facts about this fatal traffic accident, and many factors might have contributed to it. I simply wish to ask a couple of questions and make a few suggestions.

What is the date of manufacture of the cars involved in this accident? Was any one of them – if not both – equipped with airbags? Do all brand new cars imported in Malta have airbags? If not, may I suggest to the authorities that airbags should be standard equipment on all new cars imported in Malta.

May I also suggest that all media channels of communications, including TV and radio, promote road safety and include road safety programmes on a regular basis. Several years ago I used to present such programmes on TVM and RTK radio. As several young drivers obtain their driving licences every year, such programmes could be repeated after a few months.

The education authorities may also consider introducing theoretical driver education lessons or courses for school leavers, particularly in the secondary schools. My students showed a lot of interest when I introduced such lessons at the Naxxar Secondary Technical School several years ago with the approval of the headmaster.

michael scott

Sep 7th 2008, 18:19

As a regular visitor to Malta i have seen the driving standards get worse in my opinion each year i visit,i have seen the aftermath of accidents and it worries me.I hope to live in Malta permanantly as i am very fond of the island and it's people ,but i worry not only for myself but my family.I am not aware of the sentences issued for drink driving ,seat belt laws etc,but i will wager they are not severe enough.I know problems have been in exsistence with the test instuctors being bribed in the past and this shows in some of the terrible driving i have witnessed. Malta is not alone in this by any means but better driving standards have to be installed for everyones sake.

lisa micallef-grimaud

Sep 7th 2008, 16:18

Although the reasons for the crash are, as it were, undisclosed, i can only suppose at least one of the drivers had been drinking. My friend and I were driving home that morning, when we saw the aftermath of the accident, and what remained of the vehicles. Tragic. Please all you party-goers out there: have a little consideration for other drivers and passengers alike, and don't drive when drunk! If on the other hand you happen to be a passenger, make sure you do not ride with anyone who's downed a considerable intake of alcohol. We always hear of accidents in which drivers were sober and sane - let alone if they'd been drinking.

J Oatmon

Sep 7th 2008, 12:15

The information below is from the USA, however it indicates some interesting facts:

"More than 25% of all car drivers were involved in car accidents in a five year period.

In more than half of all car accident fatalities, the deceased were found not to be wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Even with seat belts being mandatory, a vast majority of people choose to disregard this safety precaution and end up losing their lives because of it.

Many car accidents are caused by people talking to other passengers while driving, and others due to drivers playing with the radio while driving. A large percentage is because of eating or drinking while driving, and 25% of car accidents are caused due to talking on the mobile phone while at the wheel of the car.
These car accident statistics are sad enough on their own, the saddest part being that they could have easily been avoided had drivers been paying more attention to driving and less to other activities".

So chatting on the phone causes 25% of accidents in the USA (and Malta probably)!