Cliff Micallef's death: Taliana's alcohol level was above legal limit - forensic scientist

r.camilleri

Dec 13th 2009, 20:44

@ george debono & alfred fenech
this issue does not involve young and old drivers, but responsable and irresponsable drivers. its not the age but the maturety.

Edward Grech

Dec 13th 2009, 19:01

Jekk beħsiebek tixrob u imbagħad issuq, aħseb f’dan li ġej:

1. Qed iżżid sew iċ-ċans li tmut; jekk tmut ma tkunx tista’ tixrob iktar.

2. Qed tipperikola l-ħajja ta’ nies li mexjin għall-affari tagħhom mingħajr ma qegħdin jipperikolaw il-ħajja tiegħek (eż. jien).

3. Se tħassar il-festa tan-nies li jimpurtahom minnek imma li għandom iktar sens minnek, għax se joqogħdu jagħmlu demmhom ilma jinkwetaw għas-sigurtà tiegħek. Simili għal meta xi wieħed minn sħabek joqgħod ipoġġi f’tarf is-sur u jtertaqlek qalbek bl-inkwiet li se jaqa’ għal isfel (imma ħafna agħar, għax jekk jaqa’ mis-sur imut hu biss).

Dan kollu biex ma taqbadx taxi, ja qammiel? Apparti li fil-ħin li x’aktarx se terġa’ lura d-dar, ikunu reġgħu bdew tal-linja… u ma tiġikx aktar minn 1€.

Kris Scicluna

Dec 12th 2009, 10:39

@michael pace

if you read carefully you will realise that one refers to the limit in the blood whilst the other refers to the limit in the urine

Alfred Fenech

Dec 12th 2009, 04:53

@ George Debono
You are speaking in a passionate manner. You might have your personal impression that young drivers cause accidents. Prove it. You said yourself you do not have the statistics. You are only assuming because you do not drive. You ride a slow bicycle. Ride in a car you will see the number of "Not so young" drivers who insist on driving in the outer lane and change lanes without indicating. These are the ones that cause accidents. I agree that new drivers should go through a stricter system but I blame that on the authorities since these days with the number of driving schools cars on the road it seem that anyone can become a driving instructor. This is where we must begin to improve the sytem.

George Debono

Dec 11th 2009, 21:48

This has appeared elsewhere - but it is relevant here too:

I don't have any statistics to go by, but my impression is that young drivers are almost invariably responsible for such terrible accidents.

This begs the question: is there something wrong with our licensing system?

I think there is. For instance in Canada aspiring drivers have to go through four stages of 1 - 2 years until a full driving license is obtained after some 5 years:
(1) LEARNER Permit (can only drive accompanied by a fully licensed driver; may NOT drink alcohol if driving - ie maintain ZERO alcohol blood concentration; must display a learner plate; may not drive between 12AM-5AM.)
(2) NOVICE Permit (may NOT drink alcohol if driving - ie maintain ZERO alcohol blood-concentration; may only carry one passenger.

(3) PROBATIONARY Driver (may not drink alcohol if driving - ie maintain ZERO alcohol blood concentration)

(4) FULL LICENSE is awarded after 1,2,3, have elapsed. If there is an accident or alcohol infringement - driver goes back to (1)

I am sure this would cut down such horrific accidents. It would also cut down on excessive drinking - a scourge in UK and, now, Australia too.

G

alfred Cassar

Dec 11th 2009, 20:49

@ Michael Pace Legal limit on urine sample is 107mg per 100ml. 98mg per 100ml is the limit in blood

Mark Bishop

Dec 11th 2009, 20:42

I agree with Michael Pace below; which is the limit?

simon galea

Dec 11th 2009, 20:23

It is about time that authorities take this issue of drink and drive seriously. How many people are checked for their level of alcohol prior driving home after leaving from wedding reception halls (where scenes of drunk people is so common). This is only one example where the need of such inspections is felt but unfortunately not much is done. I believe that it would be wiser to focus our enforcement resources towards such infringments which can pose a health hazard. Presently the major concern seems to be parking infringments!

Michael Pace

Dec 11th 2009, 20:02

the legal limit is 107 mg, based on scientific assumptions and calculations, Mr Taliana’s alcohol level in blood was above the legal 80mg per 100ml, which is the legal limit. What does this mean?

martin saliba

Dec 11th 2009, 18:12

@Henry Calleja . The driver of that incident is the third victim. He has to live with the fact that two girls crossed a road ,from where they should not have , and he hit them and they died but most certinaly he did not kill them.

J.Abela

Dec 11th 2009, 17:53

Henry, do not compare the two cases, they are a total different scenario

Joseph Agius

Dec 11th 2009, 17:46

this calls for a suspended sentence lol!

marthese mussett

Dec 11th 2009, 17:03

All I can think about is a heartbroken wife and three sad children this Christmas.Please...think hard this festive season..is it worth it to drink and drive...is it safe for you and for those around you?

N.Lawrence

Dec 11th 2009, 16:34

I was under the impression that drunk-driving in Malta is perfectly acceptable as there is VERY little visible enforcement against this behaviour.

Mark Galea

Dec 11th 2009, 16:27

Hope that Taliana's lawyer will not use this blog to his advantage. Also, for now, my friends, moderate your terms. When the trial is over, one can write what s/he likes.

Henry Calleja

Dec 11th 2009, 15:47

I hope that in this case the accused, if found guilty, would not be sent almost Scot free by our courts, like the guy who was found guilty of killing those two girls on the Mriehel bypass!