Updated: Motorcyclist critical, driver injured in traffic accident

j grech

Dec 15th 2009, 22:30

s atlamyob, no sir as a matter of fact i have a son who used to ride a large bike and like so many youngsters thought it may never happen to him but it did, my heartfelt feelings as a mother go to this boys family and i do sincerly hope he makes a full recovery but my son had to learn the hard way that whether it be his fault or not as a motorcyclist he has to be responsible for his own safety not only in wearing suitable protective clothing but that they are worn correctly as well, and to whoever commented on the noddy car , as a driver of whatever car it goes the same way saftey belt or risk injury, please dont get me wrong i drive but i was daring as a youngster and rode a motorcycle, but as a driver i use my mirrors to the full and make sure i am aware of cyclist, motorcycles as i stated i was one of them in my younger days although i am a woman and i love to see youngsters living life to the full but want them to take care lifes too precious

S Atlamyob

Dec 15th 2009, 17:55

@ J Grech, Did you forget your priorities? There's a young man, somebody's son, somebody's love one fighting for his life, and all you can think of is a Noddy car?!?!

Priorities dude!

J.Grech

Dec 15th 2009, 11:08

Poor Escort.....looks like it was in a superb condition before the accident......ouch!

S Atlamyob

Dec 14th 2009, 23:29

@P Agius,

I have ridden high powered bikes almost daily since I was 16. I've ridden in English rain, sleet, and snow. I've ridden through Detroit Michigan winters on packed snow, ice and sub zero temperatures, and braved the heat of several of the world's hottest desserts without an incident in which I crashed, and for that matter, I've never crashed any of my high powered cars either, but before owning high power bikes, I often wrecked on my underpowered Yamaha FS1E moped.
My points are size does not always matter, power has less to do with safety than skills and experience, otherwise jets would be crashing all over the run ways. Thirdly, motorcyclists are at fault far less than those of us who drive on four wheels. 83% vs. 17% + or -
And, yes sir! We have our squids (idiots) too.

"When you assume, you make an ASS, out of U, and ME".

S Atlamyob

Dec 14th 2009, 22:19

@ JAFarrugia, LOL My sarcastic comments are meant to be taken lightly, but at the same time draw attention to reality in a humorous way. To the casual or traveled observer, the streets of Malta and vehicles operated on it are reminiscent to the bumper car rides at the circus, hence my suggestion of electrifying a grid above the streets...
Comments made about switching police forces was design to draw attention to the fact that it is hard if not impossible to protect and police a nation so small that everybody knows everybody or is related. If you were the defendant in a trial, would you expect an unbiased judgment if the prosecutor, jury, judge, and lawyers were friends/relatives of the plaintiff?
@ Martin Basuttil, We're mostly just airing general frustrations about the average Maltese driver and not directly at your brother in law or other driver. I believe that I speak for most of us when I say that we are truly sorry that the accident happened no matter who if anyone, is at fault. Many of us are fellow riders and are deeply concerned for the safety and wellbeing of all road users, but particularly the more vulnerable.

Charles Micallef

Dec 14th 2009, 20:49

While expressing my sorrow to the bereaved and hope and pray that the injured will recover, I can appreciate that 18yr old drivers feel that bloggers are getting at them , but if one looks at the accidents this weekend, or if you saw the accident at Erba Mwiezeb roundabout, you do not have to be a traffic expert to conclude how and why the accident happened.....same a 19 year motorcyclist...IT IS A FACT OF LIFE WORLDWIDE that younger and especially new drivers are the biggest hazzard on our roads, and thsi is confirmed by the excess load of their Insurance cover...

So instead of taking offence, take it as good caring advice, that it takes more than a few driving lessons to learn how to handle a car..so please observe the speed limits, do not drink and drive and get home safely as you family wiull be waiting for your safe return.

Paolo Micallef

Dec 14th 2009, 18:16

@ Matthew Muscat i think you misunderstood me, im not blaming 18 year old drivers.. most drivers now were once 18 year old drivers and thankfully most of them havent been in a serious accident, i AM blaming the reckless ones, the ones who think they'll live forever no matter what and have absolutely no regard for anyone else on the road. I dont know how you drive mr. muscat but since you are still alive and your name hasnt been in the paper im guessing you dont fall under the catagory of drivers that im talking about. there could be a whole long argument about them being frustrated because of the driving instructors and as i've heard it is becoming harder and harder to get your license ... but no i don't agree with that .

Matthew Muscat

Dec 14th 2009, 17:10

@ Paolo Micallef Dont forget the other 62 year old in Naxxar and the 48 year old in Mosta. They are not young drivers!!! So please, don't blame us only!!!

Paolo Micallef

Dec 14th 2009, 16:24

it really doesnt take much to figure out what happened, as many people said before.. this is the road of hal far .. he is a 19 year old on a powerful motorbike.. so what if he was stuck behind someone going at 40 .. you have to be driving pretty erratically to hit some one head on .. and you have to be pretty close to the car in front of you to not see another car coming head on ... SO FAR THIS WEEKEND THERE HAVE BEEN 6 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ... 3 of them have died (2 of those 3 killed by an 18 year old) one is critical, one should be ok and one is still unknown (the woman who got hit by the bus) considering the worst accident involved an 18 year old and another a 19 year old .. how do you think this looks for all the other young people trying to get their license .. i know for a fact the not all 18 year olds and 19 year olds drive like idiots .. like the ones in the news this weekend

JAFarrugia

Dec 14th 2009, 15:32

@S Atlamyob, sorry pal but your suggestions are total and utter rubbish.

Only the persons involved really know what happened so im not going to comment on this particular incident, however the fact is that there are so many bad drivers who dont care about anyone or anything i cant see things changing, the traffic police need to wake up and be properly trained, proper fines given out and roads made to eu specs.

Unless these things happen nothing will change.

robert micallef

Dec 14th 2009, 14:33

Dear I M Dingli

sorry to hear that you were hurt however you did not point out what u do not like about my comment. if it was the speed part then as you yourself admit speed had alot to do with you being injured except that it was not you speeding and that makes the injury on you even more unfair. as it is now you must suffer because someone decided to play Russian Roulette with your life. whether you were on a motor bike on a bicycle or simply walking with a pram does not matter. you have a right to feel safe. having a high powered motor passing at full throttle just meters or less from your body does terrorize you.
maybe news papers should change how they describe injuries. instead of using seriously injured how about using maimed for life or lost the use of a hand and now has lost his job ?

Anni Camilleri

Dec 14th 2009, 12:47

whilst all these accidents happen, may i just say that there is a speed limit in roads that we may not exceed (eg 60 for speed cameras), however is there a limit that we must drive over?? surely on main roads it must be over 50!! slow cars cause accidents too and its not only fast drivers. last week i was on mellieha by pass when cars all of a sudden going at moderate speed come to a halt....why?? farming tractor going at 10 miles on inner lane! can you imagine that on highway in UK?? that could easily have caused a pile up sorry....... i think this needs looking into also.........

Matthew Muscat

Dec 13th 2009, 23:45

Slow moving traffic causes some of the accidents. Although, while your going to overtake, please take note of the opposite lane if its clearly free and safe. I'm a young driver as well, but I drive moderate, but sometimes I really get fed up behind an old car emitting a lot of pollution driving slowly and I just get frustrated and try to overtake him in someway a bad manner. Its not a good think to do I know, but please, all these rubbish cars in the streets, get out!!!

Mick Scott

Dec 13th 2009, 23:45

C Cassar, i will bow to your research but it does not escape the fact that the standards in Malta are shocking, as the number comments here prove.It is not long ago driving tests were suspended due to corruption amongst it's testers.This is one of the causes no doubt over the years i have witnessed numerous events whilst driving in Malta that have stunned me.More stringent tests are needed,awareness needs to be promoted and the condition o f some of the motors beggars belief ,what are the MOT rules in Malta?.Listen i love the country but as i said it does worry me it needs tightening up for all sakes .

D.Micallef

Dec 13th 2009, 23:29

Slow drivers can be very dangerous.In a stretch of road like this the speed limit should be 85km/h,and the speed camera (while should be a mobile one and installed randomly at various points of the road) should fine drivers who go faster but should also fine drivers cruising below 60km/h

P Agius

Dec 13th 2009, 23:26

High Power Motor Bike .... Hal-Far .... 19yr old ..... no wonder !!!

When are certain drivers going to learn that certain stupid things should cease on the road? Earlier this week a motorcylist was speeding up regional road, zigzagging to overtake everyone at excessive speed and showing off by handling the motorbike on the rear wheel ... can anyone be more stupid than that?

I M Dingli

Dec 13th 2009, 22:59

@ Robert Micallef

My dear friend, I am the lucky survivor of an accident which happened last may. I was riding my bike too and thanks to a careless car driver I ended up in bed for three months with various broken bones etc. The end result was that I am left with permanent injuries, my bike is trashed, I cannot look at another bike since otherwise my relatives would be the ones to suffer and the guy who caused all this didn’t even bother to stop let alone feel guilty!!

Don’t come preach to me whether these matters are serious but sometimes when I read certain comments I tend to act likewise. In my accident many people started to mention various scenarios amongst which was speed speed speed. I was going within the speed limit, the car driver wasn’t!!

Martin Busuttil

Dec 13th 2009, 22:56

I am a very close relative of the biker, actually, I am his brother in law.
To who have put their comments.
1. Before you bla, bla, blaaaa, see all the facts.
2. This young biker was almost born on a bike.
3. And we his relatives knew how things happened, from the driver of the car that was involved in the accident.

S Atlamyob

Dec 13th 2009, 21:19

There’re only two possible solutions I can foresee to the dilemmas I mentioned earlier;
(1) Maltese and Sicilian police are traded while on duty i.e. Maltese cops are sent to Sicily and replaced by Sicilian ones. That way the cops are less likely to be influenced by relationships with those they ought to be protecting and policing.
(2) A wire mesh (chicken wire) be hung over every street in Malta. It would span from pavement to pavement and be draped horizontally about 4 meters high. It will be electrified 12v 100 amp! All of the cars to be driven by Maltese operators will have a rod attached that touches the above mesh via a brush.
Fuel driven engines in these cars need be replace with the electric motors formally used to start the original engines. Guard rails and soft bumpers be placed around every vehicle and every street. Power to the drive motors will cease and flashing lights activated when a cell-phone, wireless text, , alcohol, or cigarette smoke is detected within or surrounding the car.

S Atlamyob

Dec 13th 2009, 21:14

I hope that both victims make it through this tragic ordeal and both learn from the experience.
@ Hillary Rogers,
You're a 100% right and you and your observations are welcome anytime, at least with this Maltese family/household.
I have ridden and driven in many third World countries, and have never been so in fear for my life, and the lives of others as I have here in Malta.
@ M mifsud, A bike’s size has little or nothing to do with speed or a rider’s ability to control it. In all but a few cases, the larger the bike the safer it is! Better visibility, braking, grip, power characteristics…. to avoid undesired situations. Chances are that this bike was a little too slow to pass one car safely, but until details are released, we won’t know for sure.
The problems with Maltese driving seem to be directly related to an inherent reckless attitude instilled in us from an early age. It’s not just our driving either, it’s apparent in almost everything we do too. The problem is compounded by the size of the country and the fact that everybody is relatived or friends of everybody else including the police.

robert micallef

Dec 13th 2009, 21:04

I mentioned that i cycle to state that i have a lot of experience on Maltese roads not to start an argument of cyclists vs motorists.
if cyclists do not stay in single file then they are being arrogant and should be corrected.
@i m dingli
no fireworks do not terrorize me for the simple reason that usually when they blow up they only blow up them selves. (not in Naxxar)
This is very serious as we have had 2 fatalities and 1 critical in just 1 weekend and i would not joke about it. but if people take safety in the same way as you take my comment then i can understand why we all these accidents. go fast to look cool cause it can't happen to me mentality.
i can understand that people want to take risks and drive fast etc but please not at the expense of others peoples lives.
i have driven also at 180km/hr but i leave that for when I'm on the German Autobahn were the road is straight and fast.
the facts and figures prove me right as most motor cycle accidents happen during the weekend.

Hilary Rogers

Dec 13th 2009, 20:36

@m.zammit
It's up to drivers to look out for cyclists too

m.zammit

Dec 13th 2009, 20:28

@Robert Micallef
u dawk ic ciklisti li jihdu triq ax joqodu tlieta hdejn xulxin fi triq single lane minflok joqodu wara xulxin mux perikoluzi ukoll? :)

I M Dingli

Dec 13th 2009, 20:12

@ Robert Micallef

Do fireworks terroize you aswell?

Hilary Rogers

Dec 13th 2009, 19:57

@C Cassar

and imagine what the fatality rate would be here if you had motorways.... unthinkable. You don't have the "chance" to drive at fatal speeds here, so imagine if you did. That's why the death rate on the road is so low and you know that. If you undertake, jump a red light, double park, park on a crossing, drive without both hands on the wheel, speed, overtake on chevrons, double white lines etc., you get points on your licence. And there IS law enforcement elsewhere, even in Africa, where I have lived. And there, bad emissions aren't tolerated either. I can go on and on........but I won't.

robert micallef

Dec 13th 2009, 19:54

@cliffordvella

you are very right. I cycle about 100km every sunday. it is simply terror to be in any road leading to golden bay. this is a meeting point of motorcycles and the journey to get there is being used as a race. not only is it very dangerous but just the sound these bikes make is simply terrorising. yes some do drive at a normal speed but very few. I have seen one or two police patrol in these last months. and sorry but its completely useless. as a marked police car cruising along can never see anyone speeding at 180km/hr in front of them and drivers coming from the back see the marked car and slow down. i have seen it happen. you need unmarked police cars armed with cameras and mobile speed cameras now. i have written the same comment many times but does anyone care ? start making these drivers lose their licence. why all the effort to fine illegal parked cars ?

clare spiteri

Dec 13th 2009, 19:28

I was in zejtun again visiting friends. Crossing Triuq San Girgor, I was almost run over by a chap going at 50 kilometers an hour in an urban area.No one stopped him.This I am told is a common occurence in that particular street in zejtun, racing up and down regardless of the fact that it is a busy village road. Will some one do something please. The Police perhaps?The station is only a few meters away.

Hilary Rogers

Dec 13th 2009, 19:21

I drive from Mellieha to B'kara everyday to go to work and on a daily basis, I encounter abominable driving by motorcyclists, van, bus and car drivers all too often. Why? I've lived in several countries, and nowhere else is reckless, irresponsible and dangerous driving tolerated as it is here. There's no evidence of a public safety campaign at work here, especially at Christmas; never mind at other times of the year. There seems to be a lack of awareness amongst drivers of other vehicles on the road, signalling and giving way where it's due. There is clearly no law enforcement. What chance is there when police cars drive slowly, in the fast lane on St. Paul's Bypass whilst on a mobile and smoking? Repeatedly. OK - I'm not Maltese, and some commenters on here may tell me to go home if I don't like it, but I just think that driving conditions could be a little bit better for the average man and women driver, no matter who they are and where they're from.

Keith Davis

Dec 13th 2009, 18:42

Where are the police traffic control ?! You hardly ever see them!

What about the cars all the time overtaking inside tunnels crossing continous white lines?!

What about noisy modified cars, black tinted windows, and all the ones with black emissions?

We are and will remain a jungle, because the goverment, the ADT and the police take no massive concrete action to stop the shit!

A Damato

Dec 13th 2009, 18:24

Doesn't the law nowadays prohibit very young drivers like this motorcyclist to drive powerful bikes? That bike seems like a powerful road bike. I stand to be corrected, but I heard that today the power of motorbikes is regulated by law according to the driver's age. If this young driver was breaking the law, first of all let's hope he makes a full recovery but also as important is that he learns a lesson for life. It is not fair for third parties (like the Escort driver) to suffer the consequences of who ignores the law and is childish and irresponsible. By the way, I am a biker myself. i use my bike every day, I like speed and I like the screaming sound of high-revving engines, but I will never buy a powerful road bike, as I am equipped with something called a mind, and I usually use it. This country is no place for high powered motorbikes. Where would I use it? At Hal Far . . on a 2Km stretch of road? St Pauls Bay bypass? Nah ! Nonsense. I will keep my low-revving custom bike and ride easy.

Jason Coleiro

Dec 13th 2009, 17:53

There is nothing one can do, even if you put a million speed cameras and fines and everything no one will stop anyone to accelerate at enormous speeds. The only thing is road education but in Malta and correct me if i am wrong we have a strong level of road rage and sometimes even people with a long driving experience can act foolishly even myself so the only solution is we take all our cars off the road and nobody will own one otherwise we waste our time writing and advertising to be cautious on the roads. We have to accept it as it is. Merry Christmas to all.

C Cassar

Dec 13th 2009, 17:24

Mick Scott : Rather than supposing and speculating, why don't you do some proper research? The number of road fatalities in Malta are actually less than 50% of those in the UK per head of population.

In 2006, the UK had 3355 fatalities for a population of 60 million. Malta had 10 fatalities for a population of 400,000. Simple maths.

In fact if you look at the source for this information (link below), you'll see Malta had the LOWEST number of fatalities out of the whole European Union. Therefore it is the safest place to drive in the whole of the EU.

http://www.mnt.ee/atp/failid/prstats.pdf

This isn't what the majority would like to hear but it is fact. For example, Italy & Ireland are far more dangerpus place to drive if you look at the facts.

Joseph Tonna

Dec 13th 2009, 17:23

Hafna nies isuqu slow wisq u huwa mpossibli tamel tul it triq kollha warajjom.
Lil min jispidja bi ftit u jaqbez kemxejn il limitu jaqla ticket u min isuq slow wisq , forsi waqt li jkun fuq il mobile ukoll dak ma jimpurtax !

James Herrera

Dec 13th 2009, 16:17

@ Pamela Hansen

Unfortunately drinking season is all year round, and not just reserved for special periods throughout the year! Having worked in paceville for over ten years i can say that i witness this myself every weekend. Having a drink or two to socialise is inexistent. Nowadays its binch drinking to get as drunk as possible. Increasing the age limit for alcohol consumption and asking ID cards at the door gives a false sense of security to parents, because teenagers below the age limit can easily purchase alcohol and mixers from supermarkets and bottle shops and drink them somewhere else!

joseph schembri

Dec 13th 2009, 16:15

I own a mtor bike myself, so my opinion is thatwe drivers on the road have to act responsably. After all it is our life and that of others that is at stake. No use blaming others especially in cases like these. We are speed maniacs in the wrong place. Again, speed kills and not only drugs(speed).

robert mifsud

Dec 13th 2009, 15:57

Pity to hear of such a young aged motorcyclist in critical condition.In my opinion the bike was far too big for such a young unexperienced driver.I just hope he recovers soon.

Mick Scott

Dec 13th 2009, 15:09

I am alarmed at the number of injurys and sadly fatalitys that occur on Maltese roads.I visit the island almost every year and drive everytime,the standards i have to say are shocking ,i know some will say no worse than some other countries ,but that does not make it right.For such a small island and population the figures must be high ,why is this? ,driving test standards low? poor road surfaces? or lack of making drivers more aware of road safety .When driving you have to be totally aware of what's going on around you in Malta ,and walking about too.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Dec 13th 2009, 13:44

Its a pity the Police have abdicated all responsibility for road discipline and education. These days its all about collecting funds through speed camera fines rather than educating the motorist.

Charles Micallef

Dec 13th 2009, 13:36

We can write as many blogs as we care to, as nobody out there who is responsible and could make a difference gives a toss, they only care about votes and not people’s lives !

Stephen Vella

Dec 13th 2009, 13:34

Slow drivers on this two kilometer stretch of single lane road are creating havoc and frustration to many drivers including myself which I happen to use every day. The speed camera is only making matters worse causing sudden braking by many drivers only to speed up again once out of the camera’s range. Speed for light vehicles should be regulated to flow between 60 and 80 Km P/h since overtaking is prohibited on this stretch of straight road.

M.Ellul

Dec 13th 2009, 13:29

@ R.Axisa
Your arithmatic is correct, but to overtake someone driving too slow,you need to increase your speed on the wrong side of the road.

@ CLIFFORD VELLA
It is already too late.The authorities' only concern is the collection of revenues.

As I indicated on several other articles and comments, the solution is to set up an expert committee to work with the authorities.
Until some authority approaches me, and ask for my help to minimize the problem, I stand to blame the authorities.

Pamela Hansen

Dec 13th 2009, 13:24

All these traffic accidents, and the drinking season is yet to hit.

Marianne Mercieca

Dec 13th 2009, 12:02

@ Clifford Vella
It is already too late... one life is enough to make it too late!!

CLIFFORD VELLA

Dec 13th 2009, 11:56

POLICE SHOULD MAKE MORE PATROLS ON SUNDAY MORNING IN MELLIEHA AND ST PAUL'S BAY BYPASS. MOTORIST ARE DRIVING WITH A HEAVY SPEED IN CONSEGUENCE OF A HIGH RISK TO OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS.

PLEASE TAKE AN IMMEDIATE ACTION BEFORE IT WILL BE TOO LATE.

R Axisa

Dec 13th 2009, 11:44

overspeeding and overtaking = accidents and fatalities

When are we going to internalise this equation?????