Traffic policeman remains critical

Joe M. Anastasi

Jan 24th 2009, 17:37

Sympathies firstly with Sgt. Mifsud. Get well soon. Most local traffic cops are motorcycle enthusiasts and extremely competant riders. Sgt. Mifsud's was clearly another case of falling victim to the abominable local conditions, for which I mean our lousy roads.

Even Africa has better roads than we have. The grip level of the average Maltese road falls way beyond minimum European safety standards, yet nothing is done about it.

The traffic police get a very raw deal. They don't have proper protective clothing, their helmets and other equipment, including the tyres on their motorcycles are purchased on price. Everything is bought on tender and it's always the cheapest that gets the business. We're dealing with people's lives here. It's about time the authorities take these things a bit more seriously.

One more point. When a traffic cop has an accident , the lousy condition of our roads are blamed, and rightly so. When a civilian motorcyclist has an accident it's always because he was speeding or driving dangerously, and I dare anybody to say this is not so.

lina caruana

Jan 24th 2009, 15:04

Something should be done to keep all patches stained with oil covered to prevent slippery roads. Oil stains on the road should be avoided as far as possible and careless people should be fined to protect the life of other people.

D. A . Agius

Jan 24th 2009, 11:12

Where is the Occupational Health and Safety Authority in respect of the Police Force?

Can the Commissioner clearly come out in the public and state that he IS in fact working for a safer environment for Police to work in and back it up with the proof on a holistic level? Hasthere ever been made a section by section risk assesment in respect of the duties of the various sections and a plan set in place?

Can we forget a bit about refurbishing here and there and take a hard look from the basics? Yes, it is basic that to ride a motorcycle in normal conditions you would wear protective clothing. That is what comes to mind to every self-concious biker. Thus they invest in clothing and safety equipment which is appropriate.

I HAVE SEEN KIDS RIDING BIKES WHICH ARE HAD MORE PROTECTION THAN THE NORMAL POLICE BIKER.

Also, a rumour I heard in CHOGM time was that a company offered the Police a full protective suit at no cost whatsoever, as long as the brand name was shown on the suit. Is this rumour a reality and if yes, WHY WAS IT NOT ACCEPTED?????????????

Jeffrey Tabone

Jan 24th 2009, 11:04

i love motorbikes and have ridden through all the obstacles that we have on our roads. after 3 near brushes with death i have decided it is not worth dying due to bad and slippery roads. nowadays i only ride bikes abroad. but the police cannot do so. First they cannot strike , second they cannot disobey a direct order. they can do safety meetings till they're blue in the face. MALTESE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS. THE PAINT IS OIL BASED SO IT IS SLIPPERY. For me all motorbike policemen are heroes but i guess their families would rather have them safe than heroes. shame on us as a people that we let authorities take us for a ride.
and then when election comes, promises, promises, promises. i once invited minister censu galea at that time rods minister to ride pillion with me. needless to say he did not accept.

Lawrence Bonello

Jan 24th 2009, 10:11

Was this "meeting" held after Mr Mifsud's accident or before?
Is this yet another case of "closing the shed after the animals have escaped"? When do we EVER learn?