Traffic lights in the wrong place

C Cassar

Nov 19th 2009, 19:47

This is a set of traffic lights on a long straight stretch of road, what is the problem? It's a pedestrian criossing, where are people supposed to cross the road?

The only people complaining are those that decide driving laws by themselves and typically never slow down or stop at zebra crossings.

What should be installed around 5 metres before EVERY pedestrian crossing is a large (high) speed bump in order to force traffic to slow down when approaching . It's the only way in Malta since road regulations seem always for other people never for the person actually driving.

Another option is to install traffic light cameras at these crossings, that would work fantastically with the Maltese driving mentality.

Janet Bayes

Nov 19th 2009, 16:38

Well, here is another letter telling us the road with its signs and signals is dangerous. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DANGEROUS ROAD. There are roads that have bends, signs, lights and markings of all kinds. There are drivers that know how to drive in all
conditions, and the right and wrong methods to use. There are drivers that are considerate of all road users, and not just concious of their own needs.
Then there are the others - - - they park on the zig zags at lights and crossings, double park at car parksand roadsides, speed along all roads. They are concious only of their own needs, know nothing of the rules of the road, and are selfish to boot. Unfortunately these type are in the majority. My driving instructor was right. Everyone else on the road driving a car is mad - - and I AM the only sane one.

Joe Tabone-Adami

Nov 19th 2009, 16:10

I completely disagree with the contributor's appreciation. I encounter these lights frequently,both as a pedestrian and a car-driver, and have never found anything irregular or dangerous in their siting. What I often find dangerous however - both at this particular spot and elsewhere - is some drivers' negligence and irresponsibility when approaching traffic lights.

Incidentally, the accident depicted shows clearly that the two front vehicles are placed smack in the middle of the zebra crossing - and not in the approach area. Did negligence and irresponsibility play a part here?

Joseph Cauchi

Nov 19th 2009, 13:15

@ Ian Galea,

You are correct.

Traffic lights do slow traffic and hardly reduce traffic accidents.

Traffic lights should be more professionally positioned in order to OPTIMISE the use of them.

“Too Many Cooks (Traffic Lights) Spoil The Broth”.

JC.

Ian Galea

Nov 19th 2009, 10:36

Yesterday's journey from Mosta to Valletta, passing through Attard and the Mriehel by-pass, during the power failure, took me approximately eight minutes less than usual. Not sure if the turned off traffic lights had anything to do with it but it makes you wonder if they are serving their purpose correctly! I am not saying we should do without lights but maybe a re-think of the whole system wouldn't be out of order.

R. Azzopardi

Nov 19th 2009, 09:59

I agree. Last Monday's bumber to bumper accident (as depicted in the photograph) is solid evidence of this. A fatal accident occurred on the same spot in 1998 (I cannot remember whether lights were installed at the time) and I also remember assisting a woman who got run over on the same spot in December 1997.