Hit and run driver charged

O. Sant' Angelo

Aug 13th 2009, 01:11

@Josianne Spiteri
Death should mean more to you than the state of the roads.
It always qualifies as "big deal".

Bertie O'Cassey

Aug 5th 2009, 10:55

My Condolences to Cliff's family, may you always find the support you need throughout your life's.

We have heard comments from cliff's family, it would be very interesting to hear the comments of Mr Taliana's family and their views to see if they feel that their son has done any wrongdoing.

S Vella

Aug 3rd 2009, 21:57

@Josianne Spiteri
It is true that our roads are disastrous! full of holes and gripless tarmac, and it is true that we pay more than enough in road licenses and desrve good quaity, safe roads!
But it is incorrect and cold to say " AN ACCIDENT like many others that happen all the time"
in his case the alleged culprit is a relapser for dangerous driving, and he killed a man while he was driving under the infuence of alcohol and took off,without helping his victim.....and you call that an accident like many others??
Even if the roads were perfect, one is not allowed to drive under the influence of alcohol at all!! so in this case it is not the roads to blame but the irresponsability of the culprit.

Josianne Spiteri

Aug 3rd 2009, 20:28

AN ACCIDENT like many others that happen all the time.Why everytime an accident happens in Malta we have to make big deals about it? There is one thing to be done here in Malta about the roads that is different from other countries.The tarmac,accidents or not we desrve it. We pay enough in road licences etc for the government to asphalt all the roads and to give the contracts to companies that are capable of building roads that last a long time like overseas and not roads that end up full of holes after the first bit of rain

V.Battistino

Aug 2nd 2009, 20:46

For me, getting drunk and driving (especially at 5.00 am) is a voluntary breach of the law !

J. Borg

Aug 2nd 2009, 16:15

A simple but very effective solution would be to have policemen monitor the people who leave certain prominent night spots such as Paceville for an example. If a driver is caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the driver is fined and driving licence suspended immediately. Is it that difficult to do? I don't think so. Other countries do it, so why can't we??? People need to be educated about this. And I don't mean by just putting an ad on TV or a billboard or maybe an occassional road block. This is useful but it is ineffective. I mean the hard way. Anyone would think twice about driving irresponsibly if there is the risk of losing the driving licence. What is holding policy makers from implementing a permanent solution to this problem?

J. Camilleri

Aug 2nd 2009, 15:22

@M Portelli

I am 21 and i would have stopped to help even if i hit a cat, let alone a human being!

It is not up to me to judge because accidents do happen. But maybe if the guy at least called an ambulance or something, maybe the victim would be still alive.

My deepest sympathies to the victim's family.

Albert Bezzina

Aug 2nd 2009, 13:53

A driver is 'asked' to be breathalyzed if officers have reasonable suspicion the driver had consumed alcohol. If the driver accepts to be breathalyzed and the test proves positive, the driver is 'asked' to be taken to a medical facility where his blood alcohol level is measured.
The driver can refuse to be breathalyzed and refuse to have his alcohol blood level taken on the bases that this is self-incriminating. The suspected drunken driver can actually refuse to be breathalyzed and blood tested on payment of a fine (Lm200 if I am not mistaken). A driver with a blood alcohol level which would make him an unsafe driver can still reason enough that paying the fine is better than self-incrimination. On the other hand, a driver who is so drunk that he is unable to comprehend that he would incriminate himself if he allows himself to be tested, it may be technically possible that his defense lawyer may argue that the driver was not in a state which would allow him to take the non self-incriminating option.
Legislation is in favor of the leisure and alcohol retailing/manufacturing industry. Would these lobby for change or are they preventing change in legislation?

Gerry Said

Aug 2nd 2009, 11:34

To all who say the roads are unsafe for cycling I say that I have ridden in to work every day for three years without having a single accident. On the whole, the fact is that when everyone concerned (driver and cyclist) is paying attention, nothing bad can happen.

Unfortunately, the driver in this case seems to have been under the influence of alcohol. Therefore his car becomes a one ton projectile which unfortunately happened to hit Cliff.

Prevention of this accident should come from stricter drink driving regulation, especially out of known night spots. Overseas, nobody drinks and drives and there is a reason for this. Authorities, please bring back serious breathalyser tests.

jscerri

Aug 2nd 2009, 11:31

@M Cassar - Bicycle lanes give a false sense of security
Unfortunately since the bicycle lanes are next to the pavement, all the rubbish and dirt accumulates there to the extent that I often have to leave the 'safety' of the bicycle lane otherwise I risk skidding or punctured tyres. Moreover most bicycle lanes have manholes which are not level with the road and if you are not constantly scanning 10m infront of you, you end up being thrown off your bike. Once I was going down from targa gap to burmarrad, driving in the bicycle lane, I was not pedalling, just enjoying the downhill at maybe 35km/hr. I had a very narrow escape when a driver just crossed into the bicycle lane and stopped there to manouver into Scerri's Garden Centre. I pressed the brakes, the bicycle lane was full of gravel and dirt and I was very lucky that I managed to control my bike and avoid this car. I am sure that the driver saw me since he had just overtook me.

Carmel Saliba

Aug 2nd 2009, 11:17

It is reported that 'he was also charged with careless and dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and without insurance, failing to stop after causing an accident and relapsing.

Why we still have drivers driving 'WITHOUT INSURANCE'?

Why the Coast Road is subject to several traffic accidents?

Can one day those responsible for planning our roads decide to do another lane, on the side of this road to be used by pedestrians and bikers Only?.

Most accidents are done by negligent use of the traffic regulations and thus we need more control by the law enforcement officers.

n camilleri

Aug 2nd 2009, 11:10

Whilst all my deepest condolences goes to Mr Cliff Micallef's family, I cannot not mention how unsafe our roads are for anyone who dares to try and be healthy and takes up cycling. I have been thinking of dumping the car (when possible ) and using a bike even with my children, however I am faced with dangerous drivers and lack of cycling lanes that keep putting my off and leaving my bike back in the garage , which is such a pity really. When are we going to change, inforce more serious law enforcements and make it easier for people who would like to cycle??

Mark Spiteri

Aug 2nd 2009, 10:01

The Only solution is MORE Police presence in our roads, esp during the night !

Kenneth Barry

Aug 2nd 2009, 09:57

What is the Blood Alcohol legal limit?? Is there a legal limit?? i.e. if a driver exceeds this limit, when tested, would the Police proceed with charging the driver(s)???

G. Attard

Aug 2nd 2009, 07:37

Reading this article just makes me want to scream. The justice system in Malta has truly failed and still remains the worst in all of western countries. The authorities did not do enough to make sure that this (and i won't say the word) does not get behind the wheel again due to his carless driving incident in April. A fine? What does a fine do to make one not drive recklessly again?

IT IS NOT THE DRIVER THAT KILLED THIS POOR CYCLIST AND RUINED A FAMILY, IT IS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PREVENT THIS!

Jimmy Magro

Aug 1st 2009, 21:42

@ Joseph Borg
And the government is always there, sitting and doing nothing

Wrong man !!

The government is collecting taxes and spening it without any sense of duty like the paino project

i agree with the other points and it makes you a brave young man

Paul Cave

Aug 1st 2009, 19:52

@ Joseph Schembri: "I have often had to cross a white line into another lane to overtake cyclists who were cycling 2 or three side by side." NO NO NO NO NO NO NO you did not HAVE TO cross the white line, you chose to because you did ot have the patience to wait for a few minutes. Very few journeys on this small island take more than 30 minutes. If we all leave plenty of time for each journey, then there will be no need to take any risk overtaking cyclists, women with pushchairs, dozy foreign students or anyone else taking up space in the carriageway.

@Lenny: well said, team mate!

M Portelli

Aug 1st 2009, 19:32

What he did was wrong and by no means he can ever pay back for the life he has taken. But stop and think all of you at the time you were 21! Everybody does mistakes at that age. Unfortunately this mistake will remain in his conscience for ever. I hope he gets what he deserves but I think living with the regret that he killed someone is already a punishment.

Kevin Barun

Aug 1st 2009, 18:37

We need a real Law...
Malta is full of Killers!
Last Year as I and A couple of Lifecycle Volunteers where driving back from gozo, A careless driver just reversed in a main road and did not hit a fellow cyclist by a few centimetres... After 180Km training the only instant reaction was that she just raised her finger! The driver instead of apologising came out and punched her in the face!
We went to Mosta Police Station and all the sergeant said was that he cannot do anything because it was her fault as she provoked him! This was only after he reversed in a Primary Road! What a farse. We need LAWS.
RIP Cliff.

S Vella

Aug 1st 2009, 16:58

Believe it or not, when one is involved in an accident with a person under the influence of alcohol, it is better to shut your mouth and don't say anything that the other person was under the influence of alcohol because instead of getting the full blame and being punished for his crime, the insurance doesn't cover him and I am not sure what steps the police take. Besides
as Ms Monica Cini said, you will have to end up coming and going to court for years, which is ridiculous,because if there are the medical tests I don't see why you have to keep facing this irresponsible person who is now your enemy for your testimony against him!!
The law is strong with HUNTERS only in Malta, because were and when the government wanted to truly enforce laws, against a section of the people he used his steel arm against us, and even punished the innocent by enforcing Collective punishment!
As Mr Attard McCarth said, IF THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM WAS STRONG WITH THE CULPRIT IN THIS CASE, MR MICALLEF WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN ALIVE ENJOYING HIS FAMILY.
THERE ARE MANY MORE RUNNING AROUND WITH SIMILAR CASES STILL DRIVING RECKLESSLY!!

OGrixti

Aug 1st 2009, 15:13

(2)
Car drivers should start respecting more the 2 wheelers and remember that their only bumper is their body.

Also in cities at night one could hear cars rushing gas down. These should be Stopped. At night streets are not light as day light. One should be educated that even a cat can make a driver to loose control and finish on a pedestrian pavement and kill someone. City limits should be enforced!
A car is a weapon if not used (driven) good.

J. Grech

Aug 1st 2009, 12:11

I think a common theme rings out in response to this tragedy: enforcement of law must be established. Driving under the influence of alcohol must be considered a criminal offense; case closed and no excuses for the offenders. A car is a lethal weapon in the hands of any driver never mind impairing that same driver with alcohol. People would likely be surprised how little it takes. We need to follow the example of other countries: suspension of license or permanent loss, jail terms for repeat offenders and those causing harm or as in this case death. I agree as well with other writers the positive effect of random road checks for impaired drivers. This is not a money grab by the government but proper protection of its citizens. I come from a country where the concept of designated drivers who did not drink on social evenings was encouraged; we took it seriously because the enforcement of the law was also serious. Sadly in Malta the chance of being stopped by police is minimal. Laws are taken seriously when consequences are real. Condolences to the Micallef family.

Liam Kelly

Aug 1st 2009, 11:47

First and foremost my most sincere condolences to the family. A truly horrifying incident.

Secondly, some comments here are poor; If this was a article about someone being caught speeding at 63 in a 60 zone most of you would be saying oh ejja the government trying to make money, give us drivers a break. Or if this was an article about someone double parking their car in the middle of a busy road, causing a danger, and was fined by a warden most of you would be saying he only popped in for a loaf of bread and the newspaper so that makes it ok.

We cant moan at the authorities every time they punish a driving offense, then sit here saying the government is doing nothing about road safety. Everyone knows that the road where this incident took place is a death trap; but ask yourselves is it really the road, or those who drive on it...you and me who make it dangerous? So why not stop blaming the authorities for our own shortcommings and poor driving and actually take some action ourselves and improve our driving.

JUANITA BUSUTTIL

Aug 1st 2009, 11:33

The authorities need to take drink driving seriously. A large number of younsters/adults do drink and drive. People party and have fun and do not think of what might happen and the pain that they will cause. This needs to be stopped. Drunk drivers need to be fined and have their licence suspended for a length of time. In the UK your licence is revoked even if your income is by driving around and the majority of the people are extremely careful to follow this law. Unfortunately, in Malta most people do not bothers and now look what happened. My condolences go to Cliff and his family and may his memory and the good work he did live on.

Juanita Busuttil

Caroline Zammit

Aug 1st 2009, 10:55

@James
I don't really agree with you. Why do we always blame "the system" ? Why shouldn't every adult accept responsability for his own actions ? The idiot was drunk ! and he was driving !
However I cannot accept that someone who was drink driving , failed to stop on the site and a relapser to boot , should be charged on "involuntary homicide" .
Condolences to Cliff's family, friends and all the cycling community .

James Craig Wightman

Aug 1st 2009, 09:09

I just can not believe the disparity, the victim was a genuine human being, a gentleman, coach and gave so much for his country, the driver - well the article speaks for itself. But if I had to accuse anyone it's the system that allows such a person to 'get away with it' for long enough that they can allegedly cause someone else's death. Our courts and justice system has to stop this namby pamby attitude of 'capture and release'. The courts, the ADT and not to mention those with a lack of respect for other lesser road users, may as well have sat next to the driver and held the steering wheel!

Monica Cini

Aug 1st 2009, 08:34

I was also involved in a traffic accident by a driver under the influence of alcohol and kept on driving for hundreds of meters. I kept following him until he stopped. After insisting with the warden that he should be tested for alcohol levels, the police were called, His car was taken away by the police and took him to the police headquarters for further tests. High level content of alcohol was again confirmed. I was asked to go to court to testify, but was kept waiting for four hours. When I enquired what was happening, I was told to go home as the drunken driver was let go free and never charged even though the police report states that his alcohol content was very high. My insurance filed a court case three years ago and we are still in the dark. I presume this drunken driver got his car back and is on the road singing " I have the law in my hands"

Joseph Borg

Aug 1st 2009, 01:41

If the Government wants to make some fast money, I suggest the enforcement of laws against drunk driving. Unfortuantely in Malta it has become the norm to drive under the influence of alcohol. And under the influence of alcohol does not mean "tkun patata". It is the amount sufficient to shut down your reflexes.

I am 22yrs old and rarely consume alcohol, firstly because I don't like it and secondly because of the anatomical consequences it has on the blood brain barrier. When I get into a discussion with my friends on this topic, I realize the lack of discipline our country is plagued with.

And the government is always there, sitting and doing nothing.

louis zammit

Aug 1st 2009, 01:24

if the guy is guilty he will never get the life back to this Family MICALLEF and cliff... but LET IT BE A LESSON to all the DRIVERS that just drive without any RESPECT for others......where are the ALCHOLIC testing??? too many accidents in this last month...something has to be done maybe yes MORE SPEED CAMERAS........better an extra fine than a DEAD PERSON....

William Attard McCarthy

Jul 31st 2009, 23:23

"...In April, Mr Taliana was fined after being found guilty of dangerous driving."

... if our Judiciary System were not as lenient as not to revoke Mr. Taliana's driving licence the first time round, Cliff would still be with us and his family today.

Fined?? Only?? ...for dangerous driving? In such cases a driving licence should be suspended immediately,

Stephen Florian

Jul 31st 2009, 22:21

I was told today , that in case of a hit and run, the perpetrator of such an accident in Malta has a fundamental human right to escape to the nearest police station and give oneself in to the authorities. I know that in Spain if such an accident happens one is legally bound to stop and administer first aid, so are bystanders in the vicinity or witnesses to the accident. If what I have been told about Maltese law is true, then are we not living an absurd situation ? Where is humanity to the victim in such a law ? Perhaps where it otherwise poor Mr. Micallef would have stood a chance, at least he would have been served with a better sense of justice and enhanced dignity in his passing. All this hurts and the culprit deserves a good lesson for life. My sincere condolences to the Micallef Family. The legal term of 'hit and run' should be reverted to its original sense and should favour the victim and not give advantage to the perpetrator.

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 31st 2009, 18:02

Driving in Malta is terrible and is getting worse by the minute. the reason is obvious; more people have money and can afford to own a car, but unortunately being more affluent does not equate with being educated, and this is the crux. I have been driving for over 50 years now and I notice that most young MALE drivers are poorly educated if at all, more arrogant, more aggressive, and can swear, hit, punch and kill without batting an eyelid. The number of cowboy drivers is on the increase. Even females are becoming more arrogant, alot put their hand out of the window and show you the middle finger. Education and therefore good and responsible behaviour particularly in the case of young males is becoming an ever scarce commodity. If the pertinent authorities are not going to address this festering sore we are going to end being in a jungle. One thing that definitely can be done is the presence of traffic police on motorcycles at all hours of the day and night 24/7. It should not prove to be difficult to have a force of couple of dozen policemen patrolling the streets of Malta round the clock

Joseph Zammit

Jul 31st 2009, 17:58

@ M Cassar - it's evident that you have never tried to use those 'bike lanes' you mentioned - they're either more dangerous to use (ex. mgarr with those sharp ramps, burmarrad with obstacles on the 'bike lane' itself), intermittent (ex. zebbug to rabat) or used as temporary parking (ex. zebbug). for some lucky peopel like me, the best way to be safe at the moment is to avoid major roadways as much as possible, but depending on where you live and commute to, that's not an option for everyone

proper bike lanes should physically separate the bikes from other vehicles, otherwise they might turn out to be death traps

R Axisa

Jul 31st 2009, 17:54

This is what we get when dangerous drivers are simply fined and are left to continue driving! A dangerous driver, especially under the effect of alcohol, should be sentenced for a number of years without a driving licence, otherwise no lesson is learnt. Such persons are of great danger to society, and should not be left driving. Consequently, it is also the responsibility of the court not to take lightly such situations!

KEITH AGIUS

Jul 31st 2009, 17:49

Bhalissa aw malta is-sitwazzjoni tat-traffiku saret insostennibli, fi ftit kliem kulhadd jaghmel kif ifettillu u bl-addocc bla ma jahsbu li l-azzjonijiet taghhom jafu jbiddlu l-hajja ta haddiehor u l-familji taghhom ta taht fuq. Nies li anqas jafu xinhuma laffarijiet bazici ta sewqan u bilkemm ma jharsulekx bl-ikrah bhal li kiku ha jbezzawk. Nies ta certu eta jsuqu karozzi kbar li mghadx ghandhom l-kapacita li jsuqu mma ghax jaffordjawha u jahsbu li jidhru cool, ek ok, zghazagh li jridu jimpresjonaw u jahsbu li kullimkien Halfar, imbaghad wara ta xejn nibku l-mejtin u ninsew lil min wegga wara ftit bla ma nahsbu l-problemi li jridu jaffacjaw wara. Bi zball jew le waqt li qed isuq tista tnehhi l-hajja ta missier, ta omm jew allahares qatt ghalik ta tfal, qatt hsibtha. HEMM BZONN ISIR XI HAGA MALAJR

R Calleja

Jul 31st 2009, 17:38

Shame on our judicial system for not having taken away the driver's licence for the previous offence last April. Cliff's death is on our society's conscience for not having properly punished the guilty verdict at the time. He was allowed to continue to drive and Cliff has paid with his life and his family with his loss.

This is a wake up call to the Police and the Government to start taking dangerous/drink/drug driving more seriously than they have ever done before and save some innocent lives.

The Courts must also be more severe and teach some lessons with their sentencing.

The Police must also heavily penalise anyone caught driving without proper insurance. Otherwise any victim (if they live to see another day) or his/her surviving family will not get adequately compensated, as will probably happen to the Micallef family in this case.

MC Aquilina

Jul 31st 2009, 17:06

Righteous indignation that is not only legitimate but essential. One can just shrug his shoulders and walk away, or can become angry and forcefully intervenes. Which of them is right?

c. camilleri

Jul 31st 2009, 16:44

@ joseph Schembri. Here in Europe we treasure the lives of the guilty and forget that of the victims. Persons like this should never see the light of day any more. If guilty, he should be jailed for life, that is till he dies in jail once we do not have the death penalty.

mary muscat

Jul 31st 2009, 16:22

if mr taliana deserves to be punished i think so do you for having such a horrible view on things you should be ashamed and you also hadrian

Michael Neville Cassar

Jul 31st 2009, 16:12

I wonder wonder how this poor fellow is going to end up if he is guilty?????????? Who knows maybe he will end up with a Reprimand .As we say the dead is the dead and the living is having a good time.May God bless Cliff Micallef and give him peace.

Adrian Cardona

Jul 31st 2009, 15:17

@Joseph Schembri
no I do not value any human life. I do not value the life of serial killers, child murderers, cold-blooded death givers, people who kill your loved ones without batting an eyelid.. As far as I am concerned they are not humans and they can safely be eliminated from society if it is proven beyond any reasonable doubt that they are guilty. I am not referring to this particular case obviously, but for the kind of irredeemable savages listed above, I would be more than happy to see them dead. Society will be safer.

Charles Micallef

Jul 31st 2009, 15:13

Clifford Micallef was just a name known mainly to his friends the cycling fraternity that is, until his untimely death. The number of bloggers who commented on his demise clearly indicates that he was a lot more than a decent family man and a very keen cyclist. He combined his hobby with fund raising for lifecycle, he taught the disabled how to ride bikes and contributed in no small way to other charitable institutions. His family’s final and noble gesture, which Clifford would have heartily agreed to, was to donate his cornea so that someone will benefit from his demise..

I hope and pray that the relevant authorities will take note of what his son Max wishes, in the face of this tragedy that is to make driving safer to save others!

Anna Farrugia

Jul 31st 2009, 15:04

Mr Joseph Schembri,
What do you consider as being 'human life'? I agree with Mr Hadrian Agius - this Mr Taliana should, if guilty, be punished and I DO MEAN PUNISHED, not just a few years in jail, a fine and Bob's your uncle out on bail or 'good' behaviour and then he reoffends. Nowadays criminals and the likes of Mr Taliana are not punished enough. As for rehabilitation - I don't believe in it at all. Research has it that it doesn't always work - depends on the individual - and it will take years and a lot of heartache and hardship to see and find out on who it works and on who it doesn't. We have only 1 life time, and those who ruin it for others, well they have to have a taste of a ruined life.

M Cassar

Jul 31st 2009, 14:59

without being too sarcastic or denfensive to all reckless drivers may i suggest that cyclists also learn to use the cyclists lanes wherever possible. Many a times u see them hovering outside the cyclists lane. I expeirnce this quite frequently on the zebbug , mosta and mgarr roads

r cutajar

Jul 31st 2009, 14:49

Dear Sir
allow me to point out 'can anybody please state weather the car involved ie without insurance cover ever had a valid road licence'?
the system of road licence/insurance has been in place for quite some years now ie no road going vehicle could ever have a road licence unless covered by a V R T bi annualy and an insurance cover policy Before the road licence disc is ever issued . Now shall I carry on?
The A D T had all the greatest opportunity to really bring dissipline on the roads on the introduction of the V R T 10 years ago but after a couple of days in operation the vrt was turned into a huge money making exercise while the A D T tried all its best to show otherwise

r ferriggi

Jul 31st 2009, 14:46

one fine day,,,, the maltese society will wake up and realise that the a good chunk of the current younger generation does not care about anything which we traditionally held sacred.

of course,,,, not all the younger generation.

but it is evident that parents have been giving too much to their children and the result is a s totally spoilt generation which does not have a clue what sacrifice is. cars, money, holidays,,, and even property.

wherever you go,,,, you see youngsters drinking, bingeing, swearing. at all times of day.

the problem is,,,,,, that everyone will suffer this consequence.

one fine day we will wake up to a totally alien and savage society like in the big cities.

Jeffery Holdings* ex.Rd.Patrol

Jul 31st 2009, 14:43

I like to offer our sincere condoloncies to the family of the man killed on the MOST DANGEROUS PIECE OF ROAD IN MALTA! as an Britian living in this country i must be honest i have never seen so many bad drivers taking all such dangerous risks at the best of time, As an ex-UK Police officer road Patrol section, i think the is a worst-case scenario and the driver who allegedly killed him is, i believe, now under police custody,invitation to a noose round his neck under the influence of drink and drving in a reckless way is to my mind(off the record) is murder in the first degree. I hate to be in this young man's shoe at night and needless to say for the rest of his life. Alot is needed to be done in Malta to rectify the way some youngsters drive especially when i have noticed on many occasions drivers holding a mobile in one hand or dangling one hand out the window and maneuvering with t' hand its absolutly absured dangerous and plain stupid at all times. Incidently do they know what indicators are used for? i wonder. none use of indicators in the UK is a Penalty.

Charles Micallef

Jul 31st 2009, 14:41

We hope that, if guilty, he will get what he deserves at law.

The very bad news is that there are so many other similar and worse cowboys driving on our roads.

What are the authorities going to do to catch up with them, how many roadblocks are they conducting to catch these dangerous villians?

D Vella

Jul 31st 2009, 14:38

Unbelievable!!! If found guilty this guy should be put away for life with forced labour to pay for the upkeep of the family whose lives he has ruined!!!

Michael Bonnici

Jul 31st 2009, 14:30

A car is also like a weapon. You can kill yourself with it and you can kill others.

Michael Bonnici.

Ronnie Gauci

Jul 31st 2009, 14:30

If guilty, this is a dangerous person, he has to be separated from the rest of society before another innocent person loses his life and another family ruined. Lock him up for good and once out make sure he never drives again.

Something has to be done about all this careless driving all around the island. Heavier fines accompanied with prison sentences and more police vigilance are the key.

S Vella

Jul 31st 2009, 14:29

Cont.
I was once involved in a hit and run acciden, way different from this accident, thank God.
The Bully who hit me at the back of my car, came out shouting and calling me names and accusing me that I was still asleep, and I told him if I am asleep what are you then? He challenged me to drive and I said not before the police come, so he went in his van and drove off, I took his number and went to the nearest police station.Unbelievable...you know what the police told me?, if there is no scetch we have nothing to do with it!! and I told him, but if there was a scetch it wouldnt be a hit and run. The police didnt even give me the details of the agressor to protect him "from me" lol, what justice...and I had to fix my own car becasue they told me you have to take him to court privately.
One of the excuses the police told me obo the agressor is that he could have been under shock...
Relapsers should be charged & punished straight away!!

Joseph Schembri

Jul 31st 2009, 14:28

While I am deeply saddened by the loss of human life especially as this case where he was dedicating it to help others, I feel that I must add a comment about cyclists.

They should not cycle two or three aside as I unfortunately often see many do but they should cycle in single file. So should joggers of course.

I have often had to cross a white line into another lane to overtake cyclists who were cycling 2 or three side by side.

C.Zammit

Jul 31st 2009, 14:28

This is not a case of one person being reckless with cyclist. Lots of Maltese drivers don't care about person going round with bicycle. Ringing the horn, revering the engine near cyclist, etc. The authority need to defend these cyclists.

Joseph Schembri

Jul 31st 2009, 14:22

@Joseph Tonna: You claim to know several young people without a driving license who are driving in piazzas and densely populated areas and acting as chauffeurs (!!).
Why have you not reported them to the police? One can do so anonymously nowadays. I find that even the emergency number 112 can be used in such cases if one has at hand the relevant information and only takes up a few seconds of the police's time.

Joseph Tonna

Jul 31st 2009, 14:22

May the police begin to stop more and more drivers and ask for their driving licence...

S Vella

Jul 31st 2009, 14:19

Last week I wrote and asked what happened to roadblocks we use to have way back in the eighties and nineties?
At that time I use to work as a waiter and finish work in the early morning hours and i use to meet roadblocks 2 or even 3 times a week on my way home. The police or soldiers use to check the driving licence and if the driver was in any way suspicious they use to chech thoughout the car and if the driver was under any influence of alcohol or drugs they use to take the necessary action. Our roads were safer, I am not saying we did not have accidents, but one use to think twice before abusing!!!
What happened to this service offered by the law enforcement?? Are our authorities not fed up of hearing of fatal accidents regularly, that could have been avoided with some discipline.Speed cameras in a fixed point are not effective except as a tax revenue!! How many drivers slow down in the area of the camera and then race down the rest of the road?haw many drive when they are under the incluence of alcohol? wake up!!

Lenny Degiorgio

Jul 31st 2009, 14:12

The first piece of news I heard yesterday morning was that a cyclist had been killed in a hit & run on the coastroad. Somehow you automatically assume that it's a fellow Lifecyclist. I sincerely hope an example is made of this boy if he is found guilty. I also hope more consideration is given by the authorities. We have poor cycling roads, inconsiderate drivers and an appalling legal system that allows drunks to drive sports cars with no insurance at 5AM. I didn't know Cliff very well but the few weeks of training we did together will always be etched in my memory. I extend my condolences to His family and seriously hope that authorities will finally wake up and do something. Let's not go for the typical "3-5 suspended"

Stephen Lungaro-Mifsud

Jul 31st 2009, 14:06

"was found guilty of other traffic related offences in April". I wonder what the sentence issued by the magistrate/judge was? Is this a case of "li kieku kieku?"

MC Aquilina

Jul 31st 2009, 14:03

This is unbelievable!! The system needs to change if people just can’t behave and act human!! It’s the duty of the government to protect society!!! clearly failing!

Why can't Paceville stop serving alcohol till 2am? Wouldn’t that be reasonable enough? Looks like cheap fun and quick bucks for the industry is costing lives!! as this happens over and over.. last year's runner in Mosta point in case!!

My deepest condolences to Cliff's family!! We will truly miss him! And huge concern to the well-being of Maltese athletes, and sport enthusiasts. Cliff would have done anything for the safety of others. What are we going to do about it?

Joseph Schembri

Jul 31st 2009, 14:00

@hadrian agius - thank God that we do not live in the states then. We in Europe value the preciousness of Human life. Any human life. I don't know about you.

Joseph Tonna

Jul 31st 2009, 13:57

Out there are young people driving without driving licence...thinking they know how to drive.
Even when one bring the driving licence , dont know how to drive because one acquires only licence but not EXPERIENCE.
May the police take more serious actions NOW.

J. Borg

Jul 31st 2009, 13:57

@ hardian agius

pls note that the police have a "habit" of drafting the "charge" to cover multiple circumstances.

thus let us not rush to conclusions

Although i did not know Cliff, his evident altrusim signifies that he treasured truth.

vfarrugia

Jul 31st 2009, 13:57

How many more deaths on the road do we have to have before the Police will start performing the breathalizer tests?

Joseph Tonna

Jul 31st 2009, 13:51

Nigbed l attenzjoni lil pulizija. ..
Hawn hafna zghazagh qed isuqu minajr licenzja tas sewqan ghal zminijiet twal sahansitra ghal snin u qatt ma jinqabdu mhux biss izda jigu impjegati bhala xufiera ...u mhux f'xi ghalqa jew fi sqaq imma fi pjazez populari.
Hafna zghazagh specjalment genituri anzjani jahsbu li jekk tkun taf taghmel idejk fuq ir-rota tal-isteering wheel tkun taf issuq. Far from iT. Mahniex qed nitghallu ndoqqu il-kitarra. Ghax kitarra tiehu zball ma imut hadd izda fis-sewqan hemm il-hajjiet umani...
U qisu xejn mhu xejn , imbad tisma b ahbarijiet bhal dawn
Nittama li l-pulizija tiehu aktar azzjoni...

M.A.Vella

Jul 31st 2009, 13:42

So who is going to pay the family for the loss of their father if this man is found guilty since he had no insurance?

I remember the days when driving off Pacevile I would encounter a road block after another which ever way i go. Why has this stopped happening? If there was such a block in place, this accident would have been avoided and the person would have been caught prior to committing the ''involuntary'' homicide, a life would have been saved and a family would be greeting their father back!!!!

Unfortunately all the advertisement on drunk driving is proving worthless, the only way ahead is road blocks with breathalyzers again.

My sincere condolences to Family Micallef.

Keith D'Amato

Jul 31st 2009, 13:29

If found guilty, take away his licence (if any), ban him from using another vehicle, throw him in jail and throw away the key. This is because not only he drove under the influence of alchohol and without insurance, but because he didint stop to give assisitance. Running away only aggravated his problem.

Veronica Debattista

Jul 31st 2009, 13:20

All i can say is that this is a tragedy and I cannot begin to imagine what Clifford's family are going through. Maybe now young drivers will learn a HUGE lesson to not drink and drive!! I am so glad that the driver was found so quickly!

Bill Millam

Jul 31st 2009, 13:17

The accused should have been charged with murder. Some people just do not learn from past mistakes.

Bill Millam
Los Angeles

Andrew Grech

Jul 31st 2009, 13:15

Like everything else...the law is an ass. Relapsers, reoffenders, out on bail, awaiting trial, etc...more often than not they tend to make the headlines and ruin a families life..

How many more murders, deaths caused by reckless driving, underage driving, drink driving & drug related deaths do we have to witness before some 'big head' wakes up and revisits our criminal code and gets seriously tough on ENFORCEMENT.

Like with many other issues...we need to adopt a zero tolerance to certain offences.

hadrian agius

Jul 31st 2009, 13:11

.................pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Mr Micallef. He was also charged with careless and dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and without insurance, failing to stop after causing an accident and relapsing..............

If guilty, this person should at least get a life sentence, if this happened in the States he would get the electric chair.

Michelle Wood

Jul 31st 2009, 13:08

Poor Cliff...