Joseph N. Attard, Attard
The angry Maltese motorist (1)
This government is seriously underestimating the totally exasperated and angry mood of the Maltese motorist. It has left our roads in an abysmal state, continuing the trend of all governments since independence. The motorist expects by right that all roads in Malta should be decent, and that he should be able to drive on them in safety and comfort and without damaging his vehicle.
The few roads that have been done up with foreign help only serve to show what the vast majority of the other roads should be like. The motorist cannot wait for another 20 or 30 years for all the remaining roads to be dug up from the foundation. He expects at least all major roads to be given a decent surface in a very short time. He also expects the government to put a definite stop to road repair contractors being paid for work which is not to acceptable European standards.
Maltese motorists' cars remain among the costliest in Europe, despite the recent changes to the vehicle registration fees. It is obvious that the government did the minimum possible to comply with EU laws, and has no intention of relinquishing the vast income it derives from the sale of cars. Conversely, it continues to fail miserably in providing decent public transport, thus compelling a large number of people to become car owners, or at least to use their cars much more extensively.
Unrealistic speed limits, backed by high revenue yielding cameras, are introduced. Road obstacles mushroom everywhere. All this is done in the name of increased safety. Yet the greatest road safety measure, which is the provision of good roads, continues to be denied to the Maltese motorist.
Now, the Maltese motorist is faced with the question of VAT on registration tax. The government keeps saying that this tax after April 2004 was legal. The EU has cast serious doubts on this. The opposition has snatched at the opportunity to champion the Maltese motorist.
Does the government not realise to what extent it is jeopardising the chances of its MEP candidates in next June's elections?
Is it not aware that there are near enough 300,000 Maltese motorists?
18 Comments
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apgrech
Mar 11th 2009, 10:00
Charles Muscat said: "In Malta a car should be only allowed to the rich and famous."
Do you belong to one of the two categories above? If so, you also belong to the category of stupidity. You should be in the NP Government - there are many like you in there.
L..Galea
Mar 10th 2009, 22:18
George Debono
Dear George,
if you have read Charles Muscat's posting he is suggesting that cars be allowed only to rich and famous persons.
That is why I said forget it because that is discrimination on a class and money basis.
Re death reduction, it is not only speed that kills, but also texting while driving especially at speed as has been reported several times, seat belts not used, having children unsecured and standing between seats etc.
Moreover, one also has to compare speed limits in the UK.
No one would believe that many of the Maltese roads where speeds are being lowered cannot support an 80 km maximum speed . The cameras are simply being installed to be cash cows for the local councils, wardens companies and the company installing the cameras.
Frustration such as driving in the hot summer sun behind a slow driver in the one-lane roads to which many roads have been reduced is another cause of possible deaths since as soon as there is a little space everyone would try to overtake the slow driver, driving slowly on the outside lane, etc
TRW O'Neill
Mar 10th 2009, 15:33
Maltese drivers on average are too impatient, they would rather risk a collisions by stopping for 2 seconds at stop signs,( then if they have a colision will have to wait for up to 2 hours for a warden) The comments about slow drivers slowing them down shows that they have no sense of danger, be more patient guys, & some women are even worse,! why should somebody driving at a speed that they feel comfortable at ( if slow) cause a collision It is the impatient person " Boy Racers" who cause collisions, & of course drunks who drive, & cell phone users etc.. Take some lessons!
George Debono
Mar 10th 2009, 14:57
@ L Galea
RE "...200-250 lives a year.."…….What percentage is this to the whole deaths?
200 - 250 is at least 8% fewer annual deaths (which stood at 3,000 in the UK)
8% is a very significant reduction.
Re "Please forget your environment" ; ======Typical remark from a motorist who doesn't care a fig about the damage to (other peoples' ) health from traffic pollution.
G
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 10th 2009, 14:19
@ Charles Muscat:
"In Malta a car should be only allowed to the rich and famous".
Are you serious? Should taxes be imposed only on the rich and famous too?
L..Galea
Mar 10th 2009, 13:01
"...200-250 lives a year.."
What percentage is this to the whole deaths?
Charles Muscat
Please forget your environment
D.Rockcliffe
We are getting some of OUR eu money back from the eu. The Government (Maltese taxpayers) is paying the eu €153,400 daily apart from all customs duties, levies, part of VAT etc etc
On the contrary, since we became members we are paying some €3 million a year to Britain for the rebate Margaret Thatcher got from the eu.
Kurt Mifsud
Mar 10th 2009, 12:59
@D.Rockcliffe
in Britain the cameras are for safety. Here they are for cash. I tell you the differences.
1) In Britain you get loads of signs before the camera with lights on them and even lighting billboards with smilies ironically asking you if you want to be fined for overspeeding. In Malta you just hope that at least the road is lit up during the night - yeah safety!!!
2) In Britain if you pay the ticket within one week you pay half of it. In Malta if you contest it you'll have to add an extra day of leave with that cause you never know when it is your turn in the tribunal.
3) In Britain cameras are all painted in reflective bright colour. In Malta they are strategically hidden either behind trees, poles, etc. It's more likely you cause an accident while looking for the camera!
So please if we want to talk about safety, let's talk about removing ADT from the face of the earth first!
Kurt Mifsud
Mar 10th 2009, 12:53
@Liam Kelly
It's not that we don't agree with speed cameras but with the ridiculous speed they are set 60km/h which is more likely to cause an accident due to a sudden stop cause that's how it feels going down Mdina Road! And what about the 5km/h allowance previously given? As if these cameras are perfectly calibrated... yeah sure!
George Debono
Mar 10th 2009, 12:12
@ Joseph
RE your "All this is done in the name of increased safety. Yet the greatest road safety measure, which is the provision of good roads, continues to be denied to the Maltese motorist" .
While sympathising with you, it is still accepoted that speed is still a killer.............and we have to reduce pollution.
Quote from latest UK Sunday Times --------:
New research by the Department for Transport has found that reducing the speed limit could save 200-250 lives a year and also reduce carbon emissions…….The new 50mph limit is intended to reduce the high death toll on rural roads ……., Local authorities will have the power to raise the limit to 60mph on the safest roads, but will have to justify it.
G
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 10th 2009, 12:11
@ D Rockcliff:
And tell us, dear Mr/Ms Rockcliff. What is the maximum speed limit in the UK?
Charles Muscat
Mar 10th 2009, 11:54
I was enjoying reading Mr. Attard's letter until he ended up by writing that in Malta there are 300.000 motorists. Totally unexceptable for such a small island. Maltese are being a prey by any government. This is instead of telling you enough cars in Malta is enough, but you do not listen. In Malta a car should be only allowed to the rich and famous. Higher taxes should be implied. Do not take it agains me, I'm only trying to save the environment.
D.Rockcliffe
Mar 10th 2009, 11:30
I agree with Liam kelly he is on the right tracks, the answer is just as in Britian and all civilised eu countries- invest in more speed cameras - more road patrols but above all you guys are getting enough of our eu money & for god sake do something about your dirt roads and not forgetting Gozo as its always last on the list by all account. Dave Rockcliffe
Adrian Borg
Mar 10th 2009, 11:25
Speed cameras? Yes of course, but apart from the maximum speed limit (which should be ammended to 80 km/h), they should set a minimum speed limit as well; and should implement a technology where any breaches should be recorded during a stretch of the road and not just at a certain point.
It's really annoying driving in one lane roads which are well tarmaced behind some intelligent human being driving at 40 km/h! I wonder why people who are afraid of speed decide to get a licence ... apart from being of a nuisance to others!
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 10th 2009, 11:09
@ Liam Kelley:
"but i think the speed cameras are doing a good job in ensuring people watch their speed, and have been instrumental in reducing accidents on the road".
Barely a month had been passed since the installation of speed cameras at Tal-Barrani (at a ridiculous limit of 60km/h) that we had a serious road accident precisely on that road.
Serious accidents are caused by one of the following four reasons:
1. Bad roads, where to avoid a hundred craters in one stretch of road, you risk a head-on collission.
2. Bad/Drunk drivers.
3. People who would go over the 80km/h speed limit irrespective of any speed camera.
4. People who drive at ridiculously low speeds in the middle of the road.
Speed cameras calibrated at 60km/h won't prevent any accidents. What they will certainly do is increase drivers' frustration, thus possibly causing more accidents.
Joseph Cauchi
Mar 10th 2009, 10:40
@ Joseph N. Attard
“Does the government not realise to what extent it is jeopardising the chances of its MEP candidates in next June's elections”.
Well said, you couldn’t have said it better!
../..
James Green
Mar 10th 2009, 10:24
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Liam Kelly
Mar 10th 2009, 10:19
'The greatest road safety measure is the provision of good roads'? Are you sure about that Joseph?, Lets be honest Joseph instead; Reducing speed is the biggest safety measure; you know that.
I agree with you regarding the road surfaces but i think the speed cameras are doing a good job in ensuring people watch their speed, and have been instrumental in reducing accidents on the road. No-one is going to agree with me but its about time you lot all faced facts and stopped trying to protect your own self-interests and think about the safety of others.
Kurt Mifsud
Mar 10th 2009, 09:39
I agree with you Mr Attard but the Maltese will never unite against a particular government. They will always be divided in 2, the moaners and the back lickers. It's not an issue of standing for your rights but for their party's rights. That's why governments in Malta dare do all this to us as if from they're doing their part 100% and we're missing the "Thanks" in cash form