Updated: Two motorcyclists critically injured in Zebbug

p.grima

Sep 24th 2008, 00:30

@-Ronnie Gauci - I did not "inadvertidely" state that, I knew what I was saying. I am fully aware of the dangers on our roads. ( I said that I ride every day, remember?) What I mean to say is that car drivers make our roads unnecessarily even more dangerous by their inconsiderate driving. (I pray for God's protection every minute)

But still, riding my motorbike on almost any of our admittedly dangerous roads gives me this sense of freedom nonetheless. I still love (almost) every moment. (that is; till some other road user tries to analyze my survival probabilities)

Ronnie Gauci

Sep 23rd 2008, 18:26

@ Mr. Grima

When I said disrespectful drivers I was referring to car drivers mainly. In your response you inadvertidely admitted that our roads are dangerous and so agreed with me. What I wanted to say in just a few words is that riding a motorcycle in Malta can be easily compared to manufacturing fireworks, a very nice hobby but a risky one. I don't understand why persons like yourself when they read such statements immediately point fingers and accuse those who made them that they hate their hobby.

Believe me I love motorcycles and the sense of freedom they give you but this sense of freedom is rarely imaginable on our roads.

p.grima

Sep 21st 2008, 22:01

First of all I wish and pray for a full and fast recovery of my fellow-bikers.

@-Ronnie Gauci -

It seems like you are not a motorcyclist and know nothing about bikes.
This is a free country and people can buy whatever bike they wish, just as you probably bought the car you wanted.

Please stop pointing fingers and at least be prudent enough to let the investigations conclude.

I ride a motorbike to and from work five times a week. You have no idea of how many car drivers are imprudent and dangerous at the wheel. Let me list a few of these offences:

Many of the car drivers I see on my daily trips are engaged in a phone call, (with no hands-free device in use) or composing an sms.

Frequently cars change lanes and/or direction without any indication, or at the last moment. (all they have to do is to flip the stalk on the steering column, then it turns off when you straighten up)

There may be a few reckless bikers, but I'm sure they all know how vulnerable they are.

Ronnie Gauci

Sep 21st 2008, 17:35

Mr Mallia if you think that the Maltese roads are suited for driving such bikes then you are just a wannabe like most other riders in Malta who pretend that they are riding their bikes on Highway 365 or think that Ghajn Tuffieha on a Sunday morning is Daytona Beach. Face the truth, Maltese roads are disastrous, very short and to add insult to injury Maltese drivers are disrespectful and regardless of human life.

I will never buy a bike as I'm scared stiff even of driving my car on our roads let alone a motorcycle. Of course I wish your mates a speedy recovery I will also pray for them and their families, I'm sick of reading about grieving families in the papers every day.

Sandro Agius

Sep 21st 2008, 07:26

Ever see red light in the back of cars near a speed camera?

The problem is not that there are few speed cameras but because of the irresponsability of drivers. I don't know how the accident happen therefore I am not talking regarding this accident. But lets not be pharisees now...when we see a speed camera we reduce speed and after we pass it we tend to accelerate...now there is who accelarate if 70 km/hr to 75 km/hr and who from 70 reaches even 100km/hr and more.

Therefore this is a Maltese wrong habitude to obey the law only because of fines and forgot that 5 youths died there too...The road is good. The drives must be more responsable.

Joe Borg Camilleri

Sep 20th 2008, 10:50

Wishing the victims of this accident a swift recovery.

joseph mallia

Sep 20th 2008, 09:32

Mr Gauci seems to have something on his chest regarding bikes. Nobody has to be a Valentino or a Hayden to have an accident, after all it is called an accident. I see tens of accidents by car drivers on my daily commutes so does that make car drivers a Massa or a Hamilton. Maybe you should buy a nice bike instead. Wishing a speedy recovery to my mates.

J. Pace

Sep 20th 2008, 02:06

I passed from there yesterday I think only few minutes after the accident since the ambulance have just arrived when I passed.

The speed camera is further down the road were the road is quite straight from were the accident has happened. So I don't think it makes sense to have another speed camera.

However the accident seemed something weird since apparently the motorcycles went straight head on at the back of the car. The back of the car was basically destroyed. Whether they tried to overtake the car, or maybe they zigzag to overtake the car, who knows what happend?

Hope they recover soon.

Ronnie Gauci

Sep 20th 2008, 01:38

The Maltese roads are not suited for driving a motorcycle of this size so when there is a decent road, like in this case, riders immediately turn it into a racing track imitating their weekend's hero tipo Valentino Rossi or Nicky Hayden. I don't know why people in Malta keep investing in these type of bikes when considering that the roads are short and in a disastrous state most of the time not considering Maltese drivers, its almost suicide, buy a nice car instead.

V Farrugia

Sep 19th 2008, 18:20

Dear Mr Barrett, you may be right I guess, but how many times do we see pairs of motorbikes chasing/racing each other? Even if it might not be the case in this instant, it is still a dangerous practise, and far too common unfortunately!

I hope that these two drivers recover completely and soon.

Paul Barrett

Sep 19th 2008, 16:38

@ V Farrugia
Without any given facts in the article it is not possible to attribute this terrible accident to speed by either the car driver or the motorcyclists.
Where bikes are concerned any instant change in circumstances can be a disaster, be it a patch of oil, a hole, a puncture, an obstacle such as a brick or even a bit of wood, a car changing direction without indicating or even an engine seizing up and locking the rear wheel. None of the above need to be at high speed to cause severe injuries to the very frail human body.
A speed camera does have it's uses, but like excessive speed is not the cause of every accident, a speed camera it is not the answer to every accident.
I do wish the injured motorcyclists pull through and a speedy recovery without any lasting problems.

V Farrugia

Sep 19th 2008, 14:33

How many more accidents have to happen on this stretch of road?! How many more people have to be killed? Have the speed cameras had any effect on the number of accidents on this road?