John Schembri, St Julians
Serious road accidents and avoidance
Drivers getting seriously hurt in accidents seem to be on the increase. Let's take the lack of discipline and impaired driving as a given for a good number of these casualties.
One could also conclude that some of the serious accidents are caused by lack of knowhow of the "newer" safety equipment in vehicles. If one were to ask both seasoned and newer drivers about what driving posture should be taken in a car equipped with airbags the answer is usually a quizzical look.
It seems that driving instructors are not teaching how airbags work in case of a head-on collision.
Older drivers still, in most cases, drive with one hand on the top of the steering wheel, an invitation to some serious injuries if the airbags are deployed. It's time we all learned to be seated in a comfortable position squarely behind the steering wheel, both hands on the outside of the wheel, ideally at the "9 and 3" while we're driving along. Of course, one can ignore this and wait for a head-on collision to find out why.
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J. Spiteri
Jul 16th 2010, 20:23
Are driving instructors required by law to have some sort of qualification to teach their pupils the right way to driving a car? Most, if not all driving instructors are just ordinary people, with no qualifications whatsoever. So how can they teach others the right way to drive a car? Only last Sunday, in a prominent local newspaper, was an advert requiring " a driving instructor, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY " !!! Isn't it time that driving instructors MUST be qualified to practice their profession? After all, teachers and instructors in other professions are required to have some sort of qualification. No wonder we have so many accidents on our roads.
steven smith
Jul 16th 2010, 15:13
where do i start...yes the standard of driving is terrible..and not just by car drivers but also bus drivers who dont seem to stop for anything, i am suprised there are not more accidents. i am a keen motorcyclists but i am to afraid to get one over here because of the standard of driving. perhaps licences need to be taken away for anyone driving dangerously then it might sink in you can not get away with driving like an idiot!!
James Green
Jul 16th 2010, 14:31
Well said Mr. Schembri.
Especially during hot weather most local drivers turn on what I call the 'Maltese Car Airconditioner'.
That is, window wound right down and right arm danging outside the car, and car steered with left hand only.
However I am not so much worried about dangers to 'drivers' (with the 'Maltese Airconditioner' switched on) when an airbag deploys. It's their choice and any consequences they suffer will be their fault.
What worries me is that these 'drivers' (apologies to the real drivers) with only one hand on the steering wheel are not fully in control of their vehicle, and something like a tyre blowout, skid on slippery road, avoiding a sunken manhole cover etc. will see them losing control of their vehicle to the detriment of other road users.
Also worrying is that wardens/police seem to prioritise much more trivial, non dangerous infringments
Robert Michael Calafato
Jul 16th 2010, 13:18
Many young people's idea of "seated comfortably" behind the steering wheel is to have the drivers seat back in a nearly fully reclined position!!!
Like this they are barely able to see over the top of the car's dashboard and in most cases, can only reach the floor pedals with their toes! This is extreemly dangerous and is probably one of the reasons why a lot of drivers seem to lose control of their vehicle.
No matter how hard the driving test is made, this alone will not produce better drivers! What is needed is serious enforcement of traffic regulations and the points system asap!
But hey, this is Malta right?