Update 2: Trucks collide, driver trapped

Bo Schmidt

Jan 8th 2010, 22:53

Sorry.... Is there something I have missed? Two men are injuried and you are fighting in the comments on this page! Aren't you christians? Shouldn't you pray for these two men? Or don't you faithful catholics do that? I know what I do as a protestant!!

Anthony Debono

Jan 8th 2010, 18:00

@Alexander Farrugia Legally speaking yes you're right. But advanced motoring techniques, as well as some basic logic, advise that, if an oncoming car is faster than you, you must give way. That's the whole idea of the inner lane being the slowest and the farthest out lane being the fastest. If there are no cars in the inner lane and you are driving at the legal speed limit, still you should be utilising the inner lane. Had the faster (than legal) car had the outer lane free, no problem; but your blocking it may cause that car to swerve to the inner lane to overtake you or worse cause an accident, thanks to your driving on the outer lane!

Karl Muscat

Jan 8th 2010, 17:58

@Alexander Farrugia You are correct in saying that no one can exceed the speed limit not even on the outer lane. BUT if you are driving at 68kph on a 70kph stretch of road and you are not overtaking ANYONE, please move to the left lane, since someone might wants to overtake you even if he desires to break the law and overspeed. It is the police's and warden's authority to fine/blame the overspeeding driver. It's not fair for anyone that some driver acts as the "policeman" at the speed limit on the outer lane, even more, when there is a car on left lane driving with same speed, making overtaking impossible. All it takes is some working grey-matter and respect for fellow drivers.

Alexander Farrugia

Jan 8th 2010, 16:11

I'll just need to remind people that you cannot exceed the speed limit even if you're driving on the fast lane. So please, if I'm going at 68km/hr on a road marked 70km/hr, don't show me your car's bright lights and attempt to pass me. Thanks.

Joseph E Briffa

Jan 8th 2010, 14:16

@Karl Muscat..I haven't been able to find any mention of road hogging being an offence. Apart from mention that traffic should be on the left leaving the outer lane for overtaking, there is no mention of drivers going at speed far below the maximum; say driving at 30 kph or less on a clear stretch with a max limit of 50kph, 60 kph or 80kph. This is particularly stressful on single lane roads - say San Gwann/ Naxxar - where there is no way one can overtake when drivers dictate your speed by crawling at a speed far below the max allowed and where the stretch is clear. I am not advising driving at a dangerous speed, but why should a driver go at 25/30 kph on a one lane stretch with a max limit of say 60mph, simply because he is sightseeing, or having a conversation with other passengers, or because he/she is using a mobile phone? This is a very dangerous practice and can result in road rage with its attendant unpleasant consequences. I believe it's about time this problem is addressed and road hogging made an offence punishable by a hefty fine. It's as dangerous as overspeeding.

Karl Muscat

Jan 7th 2010, 15:14

@ Joseph E Briffa and all:

According to https://les.gov.mt/detailedinfo.aspx?ID=Driving "Not driving on left-hand side of road." and "Using outer lane not for overtaking purposes." is punishable by law with a fine of EUR11.65, which in my opinion is enough for most lane hogs to learn the lesson, as was with the seat belt law when it was initially introduced. No used to wear them, but after sometime when loads of people got fines, everyone started wearing them.

H Bartolo

Jan 7th 2010, 13:52

I do not know the real reason why this accident happened and its exact and true dynamics.

It was reported that :
" It remains unclear what caused the crash but investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a mechanical fault in the truck or the driver suddenly feeling unwell " (not in the above article but in the times also)

Well, I ask, did the investigators rule out the possibility that the truck driver was overspeeding, driving recklessly, talking on his mobile phone or sending an sms while driving, ignoring traffic regulations, driving a heavy vehicle on worn out tyres etc etc etc . . . If not, why weren't we informed of this? Why should we be informed only on the mechanical fault and feeling unwell possibilities? Why is it so hard to report and publish and admit that the great majority of bad accidents happen because of carelessness and selfishness and lack of discipline? Why?

ray sacco

Jan 7th 2010, 13:38

unfortunately our roads are infested with two tribes of dangerous drivers: the 150k.p.h. formula 1 wannabes and the 25k.p.h. on the fast lane slumbers who seem to mix up driving with dozing at home! on our roads you have to keep zigzaging from one lane to another because if you sound your horn, they defy you and keep driving slowly on the outer lane. you might also get a middle finger! wardens and police keep ignoring these perils on our roads and focus on petty offences. wake up please!

TRW O'Neill

Jan 7th 2010, 10:20

Lets face it folks, how many drivers of large vehicles EVER obey Roundabout rules? very few.They assume might is right . If either driver of these vehicles broke a rule & caused the crash, after treating his injuries ban him for at least a year from driving, publishise this fact to deter other idiots from doing the same.Collisions caused this way are not accidents, unless for instance one had a blow out tyre or brake failure. get the bad drivers of the roads to protect other drivers. Too few bad divers are being caught, does Malta have Traffic police? They are very much not in evidence , if there are any. QED.

A. Grech

Jan 7th 2010, 09:52

I agree with Anthony Caruana's comment, and remember this bad driving is not only about speeding.
@E. Gatt: what? are you serious? and when that's not to your liking would you like to propose another new tax? i hope you're joking my friend.
@Paul Barrett: there is some amount of reckless driving here in Malta, like everywhere else in the world, but i really think you had a very unlucky day.
@M A Borg: you are right, that kind of driving is dangerous and the driver should be thought a lesson.
To all the rest that deem themselves better than the rest of us, in Maltese we say "kullħadd għandu xi jxomm taħt idejħ", in english it roughly translates that when you point a finger at someone you have your other three fingers pointing at yourself, so please stop acting as if you're saints and consider that sometimes accidents just happen. And yes we need a race track, i love speed and i cannot enjoy it because there is nowhere to go, before we had Ħalfar away from people, but even that bothered your like, and the airstrip was turned into factories.

debono.l.

Jan 7th 2010, 09:43

another mishap !!

good work for the civil protection, police and medical teams involved in this rescue operation.

as always, ambulance nurses and other ambulance personnel, were without any protective equipment during this rescue operation, inspite they were dealing with a hazardeous wreckage. are these people being offered any personal protective equipment to use in such circumstances? if yes, why are they not using it appropriately ? if no, when are they going to be issued with such PPE.?

Joe E Galea

Jan 7th 2010, 08:49

To all: Introducing new taxes doesn't solve the problem of the bad driving issue. Accidents are caused because people are stresses and they don't have the patience to wait, sms-driving, phone-driving, etc. Also there are many people who behind the wheel turn into Mr Hyde. What we need is more controls on the roads by the police and maybe the points system would also be a deterrant to agressive driving.

Joseph Mamo

Jan 7th 2010, 07:39

Are we going to say that we need to make a speed camera on that site? I don't think that those trucks can go higher than 100km/h. The problem is the lack of traffic we have and everyone is late for work. I think we need more traffic policemen on roundabouts and also near lights (especially at Marsa).

Joe Xuereb

Jan 6th 2010, 23:54

I do not drive, I am not interested. Not macho enough. I am secure enough in myself not to need such an accessory. But a sharp observer of human nature, that I am fast-lane. Allow me to make what may seem, to some, a cynical observation. Never mind. A devious opinion once in a while is not without merit.
All these accidents, some fatal, on the roads in Malta certainly seem to be due, let us say, to 'inconsiderate' driving. I have a strong suspicion that 'bad' drivers are bad not only when behind the steering-wheel. I suspect that the way they treat driving - their car, other people's, pedestrians, etc. - is the way they treat just about everything in their life. In other words they have an attitude problem that permeates possibly even the way they go to bed, nervous sleep, and dreaded 'rise-and-shine(?). They are that far gone. Fancy being coupled with one of those! For life! As if!

Anthony Debono

Jan 6th 2010, 23:01

@M Ellul
My idea of filming my journey can have a three-fold effect:
a) name and shame;
b) use such footage as awareness campaigns (e.g. in car TV programmes) and show AND explain where the bad driving is.
c) use the info to report to the police as evidence!!

M.Ellul

Jan 6th 2010, 19:57

@ Anthony Debono

I've done it already in the most professional way. If we can make contact in any way, I will give you my DVD.
As I wrote in other comments : All in vain. It's the authorities fault. I have done my share, now it's their turn.

r pace bonello

Jan 6th 2010, 19:47

The main problem in this country, and not just as far as traffic is concerned, is the total lack of discipline. Years ago we used to have policemen on the beat but that ended a long time ago. Now it appears that traffic policemen have also disappeared. One wonders how large the police force is and where it is hiding. Without discipline and with our character there will soon be anarchy - sometimes I think we are already there.
The carnage continues and, no doubt, another grisly record will be broken in 2010!

Joseph Calleja

Jan 6th 2010, 17:34

As I said many times before, Increase the motorcycle police squad. (As we used to call them, ta-traffic). They are more visible and can move around a lot better than a vehicle. All these accidents on Maltese roads have to be stopped or at least slowed down. Speeding cameras are fixed and everybody knows where they are, so drivers slow down on approach. Everybody seems to agree that some drivers in Malta are very arrogant have no respect for other drivers, The only way to stop that is to touch the drivers pockets with a bigger fine when they break the law. Also start suspending driving licenses for some of these careless drivers that break the law.

M. Debono

Jan 6th 2010, 16:55

I'm not going to defend slow drivers, in my opinion driving at 30km/hour in the fast lane should also be punished.

On the other hand, the amount of drivers driving at more than 80km/hour far exceeds the amount of drivers driving at 30km/hour, and it is this excessive speed that is a danger to all and everyone.

Let's face it, the average trip in Malta is less than 15km. Even if driving at a mere 45km/hour, one should arrive at his destination in less than 20min - if there is no traffic on the roads,

AND if there is traffic, it is pointless driving at excessive speeds and trying to squeeze in front of other drivers, because in real time it will not make a difference.

Anthony Debono

Jan 6th 2010, 16:31

I perfectly concur with P Barrett.

I'm waiting for someone to sponsor me in investing in a digital camcorder, mounted on the dashboard, filming my journeys, and publishing them on u tube or maybe a local TV station. Any offers?

Anthony Caruana

Jan 6th 2010, 15:55

seems like you might have had a bad day but one thing come to mind after driving in malta

some driver feel they own the road when doing 40klm in a 80klm road when one want to drive at the speed limit one can't because other hog the road then when one get a chance it speed to over take looking like they are driving fast

the other point i would like to make is speed camra are there for use to keep to the speed limit not stop or slow down that much other drivers have to put the brake on when you look at all that going on fast cars slow drivers (not even doing the speed limit) no wonder you will see other drivers driving fast when realy they only want to do the speed limit when they cant because lets say sunday drivers are driving

i took my family for a drive on sunday and the amount of driver driving at 30klm in a 50klm or 60klm zone was untrue so i took my family home all it needs is one driver to lose it over take and hit me no thanks

Karen Camilleri

Jan 6th 2010, 15:45

The question is - WHY are so many people driving badly? is it because they haven't really learnt how to drive perhaps?

Nigel Lawrence

Jan 6th 2010, 14:56

On top of Paul Barrett's observations, how many of these truck drivers (sic) do you spot, merrily chatting away on their mobile 'phones.

L Aquilina

Jan 6th 2010, 14:25

Well said Stephen Baldacchino.... nothing seems to deter cowboy drivers, not even speed cameras. Case in point Regional Road tunnel when a lot of drivers still drive at an alarming speed below the tunnel itself to break quickly just before reaching the other end. A lot of fatal collisions are not happening due to vertigo or myopia, they're happening as a result of shortages in other factors which include lack of discipline & common courtesy and poor risk calculation abilities on overconfident drivers.

M A Borg

Jan 6th 2010, 14:25

this morning i witnessed an close miss at Luqa square! An orange Daihatsu Charade (i have it's registration number if the Police may be interested), overtook another car as soon as the first car approached the roundabout at Luqa Square, and overtook on the left hand side of the roundabout, sped off to Marsa, and ONLY missed by a few centemetres 2 children that were crossing the road on the ZEBRA CROSSING. Although some people tried to make the driver conscious of what was going to happen by waving their hands, he sped by....without even taking any notice!

These cowboys should be stopped and have their driving licence withdrawn!!

M. Debono

Jan 6th 2010, 14:22

@ All people writing in this blog

I agree with all that there is anarchy on our roads, everyone do as he pleases and disregard the highway code. But why??

The reasons are mainly 2, lack of police officers on our roads, and the petty fines we pay.

For ex. in Malta we pay Lm30 or 70Euro for excessive speed, irregardless of the speed.
In the UK, for overspeeding they can take your licence! Ashley Cole has a trial on the 29th of January for overspeeding, where one of the possibilities is taking away his license.

In Malta even negligent driving and killing a person is not enough to take away your license!!

Joseph E Briffa

Jan 6th 2010, 14:20

@Stepen Baldacchino..you are perfectly right. These raod hogs in the outer lane crawling at 30kph or even slower abound in Malta; they dictate your speed and if you try to attract their attention by flashing the brights or hooting, they take exception to it and go even slower. You will be lucky if they don't slam the brakes and stop instantly so you will bump into their rear and then God help you. not only will you damage your own vehicle and have to bear the expense but also have to pay for any damage you cause to the vehicle in front. Besides you will be shouted at and sworn at and insulted - at best ; you might even end up being beaten up. Now I believe that though the highway code warns against road-hogging, it does not seem to be an offence and is not against the law. If this is the case, what are we waiting for to make road-hogging an offence in Malta?

E Gatt

Jan 6th 2010, 13:49

I think the ADT should introduce an optional 'advanced driving licence' and encourage all present licence holders to apply.

Those who pass will be awarded car insurance discounts. Those who don't have an 'advanced driving licence' will have to pay an additional hefty annual fee.

david vella

Jan 6th 2010, 13:41

Must say it's a daily heartbreak we're getting accustomed to!
May both driners get well soon! I could see on the clip several departments on duty, a real great team work whose profession deserves recognition!! Welldone to all involved, sadly to say as I see it now - on a daily basis.

E Warrington

Jan 6th 2010, 13:05

@Paul Barnet
I believe that the driving problem in Malta boils down to lack of basic education and concern for those around us.

Colin Schembri

Jan 6th 2010, 12:53

Ikkumentajna l-bierah dwar l-istat dizastruz ta dik it-triq u kien hemm xi hadd qal li hafna mill-incidenti li jigru fija huma tort tad-dizastru li tinsab fih. Nawgura fejqan ta malajr lix-xufiera nvoluti fl-incident.

Stephen Baldacchino

Jan 6th 2010, 12:38

The proplem is that everyone thinks he's in a race track, and that everyone drives on the fast lane and if you try to honk the horn or use the light for him to go to the left, you will be faced with more other serious problems or he / she will stay there driving sloooowly sloooowly. incredibale.

joe azzopardi

Jan 6th 2010, 12:30

mr paul Barret i must say it dont seem your lucky day or may be the luckiest be careful it seems you attracted a few nasty things this morning lol

Joss Galea

Jan 6th 2010, 12:29

@Paul Barrett
I totally agree with. Some drivers are just inconsiderate!!

J Gauci

Jan 6th 2010, 12:09

Thoroughly believable, Mr Barrett! St Paul's Bay = Banana Republic!

Paul Barrett

Jan 6th 2010, 11:54

Let us hope that both drivers recover soon from their injuries.

On a matter of driving, I have just returned from a drive around St Paul's Bay. In the three miles or so of my drive I was cut up by four cars, had to swerve to avoid a driver getting out of a double parked car without even looking behind him. Nearly wiped out whilst on the roundabout by a bus entering the roundabout. To cap it all, when I had put my car in the garage at home, I was crossing the two way road (but only enough room for one vehicle at a time) at a normally safe distance from a blind bend when a pickup truck traveling far too fast came around the blind bend and nearly wiped me out. If I had been a child or not moved fast enough to escape him, I would not be here now to write this.

There seems to be a current mentality or inability of individuals to think about others - it needs to change and change fast or this year's death and injuries on the roads summary will be far higher than even last year's horrendous numbers.