Lucky escape

A.Gatt

Jul 7th 2009, 07:34

I had an accident August last year. I was not driving fast, ma kontx qieghda 'nitqazzez'. It was 2 pm on a Sunday. I was going round a bend and braked in a spot where the tarmac must have been melting (it was a very hot Sunday). The car just skid to the opposite side, I lost control. The tarmac acted like oil on the tyres.

I have only JUST started walking again after the operations and hospital time etc.

Yes...sometimes the tarmac and the state of the roads IS the problem & not all accidents are caused by reckless driving.

martin cuschieri

Jul 6th 2009, 21:02

Once again the MALTESE way seems to rule above all facts .

Fact 1- the curve of the road on that area is all wrong. This is a problem with most roads built before the last 5-8 years. Wrong curve gradient = accidents

Fact 2- The slippery tarmac and pot holes. NOTHING NEW here. We pay road tax for nothing. In fact we pay taxes and NI for nothing. I'd rather pay more like Sweden and get back the money's worth in services and proper infrastructure.

Fact 3- The exact point of collision where this car hit , as i happened to be there, is the exact point we've had more than 5 fatalities. So much so that there is a memorial cross stuck to the branch of the tree.

Fact 4- In a statement issued by the ADT a speed camera has to be financial viable vs fines! WHAT??

Fact 5- Whilst being there i couldn't but ask the police if everything was ok and if they needed help. He answered politely saying no thanks and added " hawn hekk mhux dejjem hekk" That says it all i guess.

Chrissey Galea

Jul 6th 2009, 20:59

Having just returned from the UK, it was a pleasure to drive on the roads, such good grip on the tyres. WHY !!! because they use 1st class quality material when laying the roads. NOT inferior material like you find on the roads in Malta. It IS false economy to use inferior material, also highly dangerous in the heat we have in Malta.

Oh !! I forgot using inferior material keeps construction workers in work. DONT worry about the safety of the drivers.

Galea. L

Jul 6th 2009, 18:25

Clayton Borg YOu are right. Its the quality of the tarmac that is used that makes cars skid after a while. Have you ever tried to drive with the sun in front and the tarmac shining like a mirror? That bend in the road is also an accident spot as evidenced by many accidents that happened there.

Henry Calleja

Jul 6th 2009, 16:07

@Clayton Borg Your reasoniing is very purile because on the same road thousands of cars pass through and are not involved in any type of accidents. Only certain drivers are at risk for themselves and ,worst still, all others drivers who happen to be driving at that time. But here again you blame the tarmac and pot-holes!

Joe Tabone-Adami

Jul 6th 2009, 15:53

I would hardly call that particular stretch of the Regional Road - or the Road itself for that matter - dangerous or accident inducing. I have said it before - but let me say it again - careful driving will take you safely through even the worst-kept roads, while reckless methods will definitely not see you through state-of-the-art highways. Experience of four decades driving in Malta has shown me that. My only hope, although sometimes seemingly vague, is that many may learn from the mistakes of others. The present incident has, fortunately, left the person in one piece.

Clayton Borg

Jul 6th 2009, 13:14

People Drive fast in most countries. It is the state of our roads that causes most of these accidents. They are either riddled with pot holes or are extremely slippery due to the "tarmac" used, if you can call it tarmac!

Nigel Lawrence

Jul 6th 2009, 11:35

Yet another driver "loses control of his vehicle". What was the distraction, that caused this lack of attention, once might enquire

Tony Gatt

Jul 6th 2009, 10:20

Are cars in Malta different to everywhere else in the world? They seem to overturn very easily. Or could it be the speed they are driven at?

Graham Holme

Jul 6th 2009, 10:19

The amount of cars that overturn in Malta,must be a world record
Once again,a car does not overturn,if it is driven in a safe and sensible fashion

m lavelle

Jul 6th 2009, 10:10

A lucky escape. He could easily have hit an oncoming car or pedestrians and killed them.