Tuesday, 3rd November 2009

Drivers without theoretical knowledge

Joe Aquilina-StJohn, Mellieħa

Isabelle Borg (October 29) is right when she calls on the authorities to deal with irresponsible drivers, but wrong if she wants the driving theory exam to be easier. It is knowing your theory well that helps make you a better, more responsible driver.

Driving in Malta, in the main, is abysmally bad, with drivers cutting corners, crossing double yellow lines to overtake, parking irresponsibly and ignoring all road signs... especially "No Entry" on one-way streets. In the UK, one of the first things you are taught is to "drive on your mirrors" (meaning frequent use of wing and rear mirrors) so you can be fully aware of what is going on behind you.

Equally important is the use of indicators so that you inform other motorists of your intentions. Yet you see vehicles pull away from the kerb, or overtaking, without engaging either.

Recently, I had to travel from Mellieħa to pick up my grandson from the Junior Lyceum at Ħandaq. From Mellieħa High Street, I followed a car all the way to Qormi, and in spite of all the turns and roundabouts, the driver never once used his indicators.

For road safety, Malta needs to have stiffer driving (and theory) tests, and more... much more... traffic police on the road, not just at the end of the month to make up their "ticket quota".

Previous article • Reflection of public opinion on migration
Next article • Impressive state schools

Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Monday, November 23, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Kieron O'connor (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

I think its very easy to point the finger at drivers in Malta, but the case also needs to be made against the government for not providing suitable road marking and signage.
If the road markings have been worn off and road signs long missing, you can hardly blaim the driver alone for the half hearted approach to obeying the rules of the road, the government have a half hearted approach to there duty of care for the drivers and there obligation to provide markings and signage.
What good is a theory exam identifying road markings and signs in a book if they dont exist in reality on the roads being driven on.

Mario AbelaSnr. (returned Migrant) (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

I live in Gharb Gozo and i still say that the Gozitans drive their pick ups the way they used to ride their poor old donkies, laugh as much as you like but its a fact, i know i WAS one of them, i admit it, never give hand signals, zig zagging,drive on white dble lines, open car doors whilst on coming traffic, you name i experienced it all, but now thank the Almighty above i am educated, i learned my theory and passed my driven test with flying colors and proud to have the courgae to retake my test and obtain a Legal driving licence to drive safely on our roads and show respect to others. Now its your turn folks, follow my example and there won't be any more complaints from the Foreigners at least, i can speak for the rest of them on the main islands but i heared they are worse then the Gozitans when it comes to road sence. One thing more to all the Maltese and the Visiters when coming to Gozo PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY, WE VALUE OUR LIFE AND RESPECT THE RULES.

adrian aquilina (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

the main reason it is so bad is the minister in charge and the police do nothing to stop it...

Mary Francis (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

I endorse all the moans that have already been written and I feel very strongly about it. I have said it before but after 38 years driving in the UK I am terrified of driving in Malta. I see so many near misses and it is not that people cannot drive a car but it is because most of them are big headed and utterly ignorant. I'm afraid that once they are behind a wheel their inborn culture comes to the fore and that is why they do not stick to the rules and they do not indicate and they overtake where they should not. I signalled to a man who was coming out at a busy junction in Mellieha using his mobile phone. All I got was verbal abuse telling me where to go. If I can see wrong things occuring on our roads why is there no police in unmarked cars pulling people up for abusing road safety? This is why England has a high standard of driving. Policing in a discreet way is the only answer. Keep death off the road and make sure that silly drivers are not given a chance to abuse their skills.

Francis Bellizzi (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

The trick is to UNDERSTAND the theory not to know it! Hence one of the reasons why the standard of driving in Malta is so low.

Wilf. Harris (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

Yes we all agree and you can complain, preach or whatever it takes to convert the Maltese till you are blue in the face, some of the Maltese and even worse the Gozitans are the worst drivers i have ever come across in my travels all over europe, but unfortunitly the Maltese are very stubburn and difficult to educate in such matters IE:- ROAD SENCE : Courtesy: needless to say some not all mindyou have a brain the size of a frozen pea, stiffer and more road patrols are needed before this country sinks in the abyss, as i think nearly every soul in the whole world knows by know what its like driving in Malta and maybe live another day to tell the tail. Its absolutly diabolical and their roads are not much to write home to either.

R. Zammit (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

Shoddy driving habits are not related to driving incompetence, poor testing, and what not, especially in experienced drivers.....but it is related directly to courtesy – a personal trait or quality if you like that is in not achieved on paper or by re-testing the driver- but through one’s upbringing and ethical education which is another life-long experience in itself. In other words, self-discipline, maturity and experience are the only ingredients for a good driver, therefore failing or passing driving tests are not the issues.

So let’s get to the route of the problem. Like the rest of our other ill-mannered attitudes - this is a culture problem very similar, to other Mediterranean cultures. I feel for fairness sake I should point out that Greece in particular and some Italian locations are much worse, though it’s no consolation at all! We simply lack moral education! We can only get in line by instilling good qualities in our next generations – let’s start at home, schools, etc. Maybe we shall get there one day! It will remain wishful thinking unless our younger generations will adapt to better manners and education in this area.

Isobel Mcgonigle (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

What is wrong with you Maltese people? Do you have a death wish?
Of course I am not referring,to every driver in Malta,just to the many that can be seen on the roads every day,wrecking havoc,
To be honest,your on a suicide mission,kill yourselves ,I couldnt care less, but unfortunately thats not the case,its the,innocent driver coming the other way,that suffers for your recklessness,
Put it this way,you point a loaded gun at my head,pull the trigger,the bullet just misses me?in my eyes attempted murder
You drive your vehicle,at breakneck speed,over taking other vehicles,coming towards me on my side of the road,attempted murder.
Your mode of transport ,is a deadly weapon,in the wrong hands,it will cause death and destruction,but those space cadets out there,must feel they are indestructible .
As I said before,the roads of Malta,Whacky races for real

Chris Borg (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

@ Ray Gatt
I have been failed four times before passing the test a few months back. I can assure you that I know how to drive and am very careful. One time I was failed because I failed to honk to people crossing the road, when in the theoretical exam it clearly states that you should never honk for this reason. The ADT instructors just want to people's money. If the tests were free, there would not be so many failures for sure. Why should one sit for the exam four times before passing the test? I can assure you that I am a meticulous driver and very careful when it comes to using indicators and never drive too fast.

Ray Gatt (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

It's you who's wrong Mr. Borg. A lot of drivers just do not have a clue just like the ones who on a bypass drive on the overtaking lane at 30 or 40 kms and when you flash the lights or hoot they look at you like a question mark through the inside mirror. Others just don't use the indicators. Others don't know the difference between a 40, 50,60 or 70 km. limit. As soon as they see a speed camera they just brake down to below 40. True that maybe pathetic excuses are made to fail people, but on the other hand I do not think that driving instructors are putting much importance on certain regulations, even basic ones. Which brings me to the question: are our instructors capable enough to teach driving or are they simply milking money out of our youngsters. What criteria does one need to become a driving instructor. Does anyone who applies get an instructor's licence. What rigid tests does one go through to become an instructor. I'm asking these questions as I've seen instructors ignoring certain driving regulations.

Ray Gatt (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

Mr. Aquilina I too notice that most drivers just don't bother to indicate when turning. Some of our drivers can't even drive in a Lidl carpark in San Gwann. They have arrows in yellow on the ground and either don't know what they're there for or else just ignore them. They even give you an ugly look if you try to correct them. I blame the authorities for this chaos. They just are not capable of controlling these people. In Mellieha, every single day and at any time cars with excessive noises and motor bikes (a green one in particular) speed and roar up or down the hill opposite the police station. Do you think anybody bothers to come out in the doorway to at least show his presence. Forget it. He's too comfy on his chair, maybe smoking a ciggy and having a coffee. The other day I was driving down the road that leads from Rabat to Attard. On the other side of the road was a warden on his mobile phone. A motorbike whizzed past him at an exagerated speed. Guess what? He never realised or ignored it completely. How can we have discipline here???

Chris Borg (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

You have no idea what you're talking about! If you got your driving license by driving between old tanks then that may be the reason. Drivers do know how to drive, they just don't care (at least some of them). The driving test is already stiff enough as it is; pathetic excuses are made up to fail people having been going for lessons for over a year and a half. Why should the driving test be any harder than it is? Come on!

Drivers without theoretical knowledge

Comments

Poll

Fun Stuff

	15 °C
Partly Cloudy Feels like: 14.7°C UV Index: 3