Truck driver ‘should have been escorted’
On April 23, an excavator being carried on a trailer hit the bottom of the bridge spanning Aldo Moro Road, Marsa, paralysing traffic and even affecting air transport. Photo: Jason Borg
The driver of a truck carrying heavy machinery that stopped just short of hitting the underside of Aldo Moro footbridge three days ago broke the law as he was not accompanied by an official escort, Transport Malta said yesterday.
Heavy and large vehicles that surpass the limits set by law need to be escorted by a traffic policeman or a Transport Malta official and failure to do so could prompt legal action.
“In the circumstances, the vehicle was in direct contravention of the stated regulation,” the regulator said, basing itself on pictures of the incident that appeared in the media.
Sources said efforts were now being made to identify the vehicle and driver so that legal action could be instituted.
The escort is meant to guide the drivers through the roads to ensure, for example, that certain areas limited in height or width are avoided. But it was clear that the driver in question had not taken such precautions on Tuesday when he stopped just centimetres short of the footbridge in the busy Marsa road after he realised at the last moment his load was not going to make it underneath.
A similar heavy vehicle that crashed into the same bridge in April caused traffic chaos as Transport Malta officials had to seal off the lanes so that the structure could be made safe. It is taking legal action against a driver and three other people over that incident.
On Tuesday, however, with the help of a traffic warden who was passing by, the driver managed to reverse into a side road to make way for the accumulating traffic.
Transport Malta pointed out that the footbridge had a “clear headroom” of five metres and there were signs of the height limit in both carriageways.
The height limit is four metres and any vehicle “carrying goods that exceed this limit must be accompanied either by traffic police or Transport Malta officials,” Transport Malta said.
There were no plans at present to raise the level of the footbridge “as it conforms to international standards”, the authority said when asked.
In a similar incident last month, a trailer transporting a container just missed hitting the footbridge when the driver realised just in time he was not going to clear it.
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J Herrera
Aug 29th 2010, 14:45
Since this bridge seems to have become a problem, why not raise it a few metres. Would solve alot of problems.
gordon lawrence
Aug 29th 2010, 13:12
i am the same as mr young i have drove trucks all sizes in the uk and europe for 28 years, no matter where you are loads over a certain hight and width need an escort but most things now arrive in a container ther is no way a container would pass under this bridge, and if you had spot checks like we have in UK by V.O.S.A the vehicle inspectorate i dont think there would be any trucks on Malta`s roads. i cant see any chains holding this load on in this photo in the uk this is classed as a dangerous load there is no wide load marker plates as well
Conrad Busuttil
Aug 28th 2010, 16:34
Not sure about this, but once I heard that it was a similar incident that had damaged the Fleur-De-Lys junction, i.e. a passing truck and this many decades ago.
Obviously I stand to be corrected, and would also appreciate so, from those who remember the case better.
Allan Gatt
Aug 28th 2010, 13:31
Jew...IDEJA ohra, ingibu lil Renzo Piano u nqabbduh jghollilna l-bridge b'sular.
Tkun open-air bridge, imma b'daqshekk ma jimpurtax. Hadd m'hu se jkanta t-Traviata hu u jaqsamha.
I Laferla
Aug 28th 2010, 19:44
or could be one of those bridges over rivers that open and close from the middle to let ships pass through. Our Marsa bridge would have a person employed by the Govt (Summer half days) to be on the look out for the large and heavy vehicles which require clearance. We can ask De Bono for Lateral thinking and I'm sure that like Piano we'll have something nice out of this. What do you think?
N. Bonello
Aug 28th 2010, 12:38
How about:
1. Placing clear height restriction signs on ALL bridges, tunnels etc on the structures and also signs on the approach to structures.
2. Have the height of the vehicle clearly visible in the vehicle - so no excuses that 'I didn't know'.
3. Hefty minimum fine (eg. EUR 2,000) for contravention ie. even for attempting to approach the structure. Arrogance will not be tolerated.
4. Unlimited liability for any damage done to structure and any claimed consequential damages.
BTW: Has anyone noticed the high number of HIGH road signs that has been 'hit' and damaged.
Nathan Young
Aug 27th 2010, 18:02
@Jesmond Micallef.
The Max height sticker would only apply to a truck with a rigid box body. It would be useless in the cab of a flat bed truck on which the load can often be higher than the cab.
I drove heavy artics in the U.K. and Scandinavia for 18 years.
Nathan Young
Aug 27th 2010, 16:09
@Joseph Calleja
Youare correct that a driver should know the height of of his load.
It is the duty of the Transport authority to affix a plate on the bridge giving the maximum safe clearance.They should also have a sign warning drivers about the bridge height well before a previous junction to enable the driver to divert and miss the bridge.
It is the Authorities who are guilty of negligence and causing the problem,not the driver.
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 27th 2010, 17:20
Not quite right, Mr.Young. Try hiring a high vehicle such as a van on continental europe and you'll be pleasantly surprised to find a sticker affixed on the dashboard specifying max. vehicle height together with other important information on vehicle handling. I have noticed this while helping a friend re-locate in Nürnberg a couple of days ago.
gordon lawrence
Aug 27th 2010, 15:48
if you happen to check under EEC law there is minimal height for bridges on main routes and so far i have not seen one the proper height this one is no where near , and was the bridge marked with height at least half a mile before bridge ang as far as i can see the bridge has no height marked on the span, transport malta are the ones who should have legal action taken out agenst them, and the driver should be cotacting officials at the EEC to complain
Joseph Calleja
Aug 27th 2010, 16:18
Thank you for explaining the rules of the road. You might be right and if you are right then transport Malta are the ones who should have legal action taken out agenst them. I agree, there should be signs ahead showing the height of the bridge and also signs when approaching the bridge itself. But to be perfectly honest, when carrying a high load like that, shouldn't one plan ahead? After all this is Malta. Aren't we getting a bit to much for our bridges? Bigger is not always better. Again you cannot fir 1 litre of water in a one litre can.
rhuber
Aug 28th 2010, 11:00
Signs you are talking about? Do not make me laugh! Maltese roads are littered with road signs and no one and I do mean no one ever bothers to look at and most do not even understand!
I’m on the road for 10 to 12 hours every single day and the stupidity on the roads I witness is unbelievable. The number of accidents is uncountable and ignorance seems to be the rule of the day.
I have spoken about height limits because I do not just sit behind the wheel and move on (not drive as I should) and I do know the law as I do not want to learn from accidents as the majority of other drivers do.
Joseph Calleja
Aug 27th 2010, 14:40
Stop beating around the bush. This is all a matter of arrogance and a matter of disregarding the law. A driver/owner of a large crane, large equipment etc should know his capabilities, in a few words he should know the height of his equipment and the height of the bridge, it's the law and it is also common sense. Cannot fit 5 litres of water in a 1 litre can. Actually the authorities should cite the operator/owner for negligence and also fine him for causing such a traffic mess. Another suspended sentence coming up? OIM
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 27th 2010, 13:35
This is all about planning ahead.
Heavy road transport should not just be escorted but formally approved too. When people plan such transportation of heavy equipement, they could in theory apply to Transport Malta or Malta Police Traffic Section for approval in advance. The equipment and route to be taken carefully considered and an approved travel document issued. This will outline the conditions necessary for safe and disciplined transportation in accordance with the legal code. Such machinery is bulky and slow moving, hence road and traffic considerations are to be taken into account.
I tend to think that Maltese road infrastructure is quite limited in some areas, hence proper management of such road activity would indeed contribute to much better coordination and efficiency with the least possible impact by any "inconveniences" which might arise. A Transport Malta or Police escort should not neccessarily be intended to support the transport negotiating the bends, widths or heights restrictions of the route but merely to control traffic in order to safegaurd the public from any potential dangers and inconveniences.
PS : A potential future development for Tranport Malta would be the mapping of the complete road network using precise GPS technology.
s.koludrovic
Aug 27th 2010, 13:28
I would doubt very much of anyone ever using an underground tunnel in that area, and for very obvious reasons.
B.Attard
Aug 27th 2010, 13:25
Ha jirrangana ruhu tiela u niezel il-qorti u min jaf x multa. Viva l-hofra tal-pajjiz. Tkun f'din is-sitwazzjoni jaghmlu show bik qisek l-akbar kriminal!!!!!
J Gambin
Aug 27th 2010, 12:55
Too many imported commercial second hand vehicles are not made for our roads & towns; they are too large & heavy. Buses, bowsers trucks & trailers- have grown in size- when our roads have become narrower- because of some foreign expert & busier with traffic. there should be limits placed on size & weight.
Edward Tabone
Aug 27th 2010, 12:13
How many people use the bridge?? I would suggest eliminating the bridge and do an underpass.Lets hope the same does not happen on the Mriehel bypass.
victorvella
Aug 27th 2010, 12:51
Don't forget to take aqualungs and wetsuit to use the underpass if it is ever built as suggested by our friend edward.
Matthew Galea
Aug 27th 2010, 13:30
Kull min imur MCAST jew ikun irid imur rahal gdid, fgura, b.bugia etc.. juza dan il-bridge biex jifranka jahli l-hin sakem jasal il-belt (mhux bizzejjed nistennew tal-linja! u dejjem tard).
Ernest Vella
Aug 27th 2010, 11:57
...u jekk lanqas it-toroq taghna m'huma komformi ma standards internazzjonali kif ser isemmi l-dawn hekk imsejjha standards...imissna nisthu. Nahseb insejtu kif tisthu.
William Attard McCarthy
Aug 27th 2010, 11:50
@ Mr. Zammit: "..gholli l-bridge" ??!! Ok, so this means that the Authority has to dismantle and rebuild the bridge every time heavy machinery gets larger? Tell us how high we should have this bridge built? Let me take a guess... the height of a tower-crane so that contractors avoid the hassle of dismantling them when taking them to another building site?
Chris Finch
Aug 27th 2010, 11:48
The bridge is fine, it is the attitude of drivers on this island that needs to be raised. The only way to do that is education through enforcement.
Rigourous checks need to be carried out. We hear of roadblocks in the evenings looking for drugs etc, but never during the day looking for illegal drivers / loads. How many HGVs are driven without the correct license? How many lorries are overloaded? How many vehicles spew filth onto our children?
COme on GOnziPN, this is an easy source of revenue that will more than pay for itself in the fines gathered. Or is the helath and safety of the population less important than the votes lost because this will be unpopular?
William Attard McCarthy
Aug 27th 2010, 11:46
Mr. Dalli, the area in question is in fact marshland and most of the area lies adjacent or below sea level. We all know what kind of flash floods plague the area in adverse weather conditions. A pedestrian subway is definitely out of the question.
a zammit
Aug 27th 2010, 11:29
Sinjura awtorita, jidhirli li inti qeghda hekk biex mhux biss tirregola izda biex takkomoda n nies, allura jekk hawn ingenji oghla., gholli l-bridge!! Wara kollox dik l-ikbar triq f mmalta zgur mhux ha jghaddu minn xi sqaq f'nofs hal qormi!! U kompli kemm trid obliga n nies ikollhom skorta..imma l bridge ghollih metru iehor halli mill-istandards..fejn trid taf fejnhom l-istandards...
l farrugia
Aug 27th 2010, 15:28
dawn fejn iridu huma isemmuh l-istandard jekk il-bridge qieghed to standard it-toroq huma jew ma humiex ghax hawn disastru shih
T Camilleri
Aug 27th 2010, 15:38
a zammit il-pont mghandux joghla ghax qieghed bnizzejjed gholi. mghandhomx jithallew jiddahhlu vetturi li ma jkunux jistghu jghaddu minn tahtu u ma jithallewx jitghabbew vetturi li ma jghaddux. It-toroq taghna ma jistghux jibqghu jitfarrku bil vetturi ikbar u itqal li qed jingiebu u ahna nkompli nhallsu biex dawk tal-vetturi kbar ikunu komdi.
L.Farrugia
Aug 27th 2010, 11:24
jekk il-warden ma hax in-numru u l-particulars ta' dan id-driver ifisser li jew ma ghamilx xogholu sewwa jew inkella ma jafx il-ligi. Min-naha l-oħra li kieku ma kienx huwa konna nqattaw xi tlett sighjat fix-xemx. Jien naf li tezisti din il-ligi imma ebda kuntrattur ma isegwija. kultant tara xi hadd b'xi boat kbira bil-pulizija quddiemu u xejn aktar. Il-kuntratturi Maltin mod specjali dawk li huma benefatturi tal-partiti politici jaghmlu li jridu f'dan il-pajjiz. Kull qalb trid oħra jghid il-Malti.
Charles Micallef
Aug 27th 2010, 11:18
He was simply trying to cut costs by compromising safety as otherwise he would have had to pay for the escort!
How often do we ever hear of such cases taken to court……. answer nil
………..not because they do not happen, but because enforcement is non existent!
a.dalli
Aug 27th 2010, 11:17
Shortsightedness. An underground footpath tunnel should have been done with the road project. The Marsa Sports Ground was there way before the road was made.
If this cannot be done reinvent another entrance to the MSC and dismantle this ugly overhead footpath.
Paul Barrett
Aug 27th 2010, 12:10
We have already seen the disgusting state that underground passages get into - (St Anne's Street) - they tend to be used for toilets as well as potentially dangerous for an individual moving at night on their own.
The bridge is not pretty however it is better than a tunnel and also isn't there a flood danger in the Marsa area which would make a tunnel not very practical.
Charles Sammut
Aug 27th 2010, 12:22
An underground tunnel would flood when it rains. We cannot even build roads that drain properly never mind an underground tunnel, and in Marsa of all places!
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 27th 2010, 11:16
WOW ! So the traffic policman is to be supplied with an inch tape to measure the width or the height of any bridge that these cranes might encounter.
M Bugeja
Aug 27th 2010, 11:06
International standards or not, it is quite clear that there is a need for said bridge to be raised. Said raising would not adversely affect anyone, in any way, except maybe adding another ramp to those already present for pedestrians, and it would solve all these problems.
Also, international standards are made for countries with alternate roads for such vehicles to pass through, which is not the case in Malta, so please, whoever is responsible, get your head out of your posterior for once and do something productive.
To me that sounds like an excuse to avoid having to work.
Paul Barrett
Aug 27th 2010, 12:03
Although there is value in your comment, the result of raising the bridge would not prevent the same vehicle totally wrecking electricity and telephone cables (and pulling down balconies as has happened before) in other parts of the Island.
M Sammut
Aug 27th 2010, 11:06
Charge the warden as well whilst you are at it for dereliction of duty and/ or ignorance of the law and failure to note proper details of driver and vehicle.
Jack Camenzuli
Aug 27th 2010, 10:07
" Sources said efforts were now being made to identify the vehicle and driver so that legal action could be instituted."
That's funny, when at the back of the photo - you can see a police car parked in the middle of the road and six policemen.
What were they doing, having a cup of tea.
J Bajada
Aug 27th 2010, 12:15
@ Camenzuli
The photo is not from the incident which happened 3 days ago but from last April...read the text under the photo.
m.ellul
Aug 27th 2010, 12:18
@Jack Camenzuli very well said... now are the policmen doing efforts to identify the vehicle and driver. How come the six that were there on the spot did not do it in the first place. Could this situation be so ridiculous.
Edward Zammit
Aug 27th 2010, 16:57
Well if you had some salt in your brains you would know that the police were at a distance to stop any oncoming traffic without any panic.