Updated: Woman hit by car in Sliema

A Agius

Sep 16th 2010, 15:36

I happened to pass from there just a few minutes after the accident, a road which I do from work everyday.

That specific stretch of road happens to have the sun exactly above the buildings horizon between 5:30pm and 6:00pm. There is so much glare on the tarmac by the sunlight, that I could barely make up the shape of the outline of the car infront of me. Unless you are wearing a welding mask, going through that few 100 metres is guesswork at best. It's nearly impossible to keep your eyes open, no matter what flashy sunglasses or sunvisors would help.

If anyone stepped in front of my car in that moment, I honestly doubt I would see him / her until it's too late, irrelevant if i'm doing 5km/hr or 30.

Of course the trademark mirrorshine road surface that covers 80% of Malta does not help.

So please make sure you actually know what happened before throwing dumbfounded accusations of speed, careless drivers and whatnot.

Christopher Debattista

Sep 16th 2010, 13:09

The reality in driving in Malta : Hadd m'ghandhu pacenzja ! Kull filghodu jien u nmur ghax-xoghol kullhadd qishu indannat jew se jaqalu tahtu, sumacher style. U mhux filghodu biss. Kemm il-darba xi hadd baqa hiereg f'xi give way ta roundabout jew stop sign u xorta jippretendi li ghandhu ragun ! Speed Cameras hemm wahluwhom, go toroq fejn joqghodu in-nies u mela go triq daqs dinja maqtugh mir-rahal ! Kollox kontra dan il-pajjiz

a muscat

Sep 16th 2010, 11:30

Just come to dingli to enjoy some car spinning and racing variety. recently i was driving near gnien il-haddiem (a place where children go to play regularly) and i saw a teenager spinning his car without any consideration for passers-by and other children. to add to this i must speak about people driving the wrong way around roundabouts and speeding in triq guze ellul mercer. a warden visit during the evening would be welcome because these criminal actions take place during the evening and not in the mornings when usually the wardens are seen seeking shade from the sun in dingli in some corner

Stephanie Abood

Sep 16th 2010, 10:36

I will refrain from passing judgement given that I was not present. All I know is that the lady in question is my best friend and I am truly sorry for what has happened.

I wish you a speedy recovery my friend, cheer up, God is with you.

Anthony Borg (Attard)

Sep 16th 2010, 09:30

I am not commenting on this article per se, but on the general driving attitudes. We all need to realize that the modern automobile is a potential killer if speed is not curbed. Driving at dangerous speeds gives us less time to react.

Oh yes, there will be the funeral mass, the burial, the tears and anguish and then most will forget all about the lessons that should have been learnt.

Ofcourse I am not without blame. In the early 60's very fast cars were being introduced, the roads started to congest and, invariably, accidents increased. Ta' Qali airfield was a free-for-all in those days where the mini-cooper was supreme. I particularly remember an ugly accident where a young lady was beheaded by cars involved in racing.

In my opinion, the killers on our roads is speeding (not in this case) and negligence. As Mr. R. Gauci correctly pointed out, the authorities should launch permanent, educational programmes and show videos regularly on TV. This year's traffic accidents should alert the authorities on the urgent need to raise public awareness.

a spiteri

Sep 16th 2010, 09:05

Ghal grazzja t'Alla ma kienx hemm xi zaghzuh jew zaghzugha isuq il-karozza Kia Picanto ghax kieku ara kemm hawn kummenti kontra zaghzagh u kem dawn isuqu bl-adocc u kemm dawn huma qziez u kemm dawn huma traskurati!! L-aqwa li nigeneralizaw u natakaw.....

m.farrugia

Sep 16th 2010, 04:44

dwar l-uzu tal-pedestrian crossing ghad hawn hafna nies li ma jaghtux kazhom. Biex wiehed jara dawn l-irregolaritajiet irrid ikun il-Hamrun. Ftit huma dawk li juzaw il-crossing kemm tal-pjazza kif ukoll ta quddiem il-knijsa. Jekk ikunu qed jaqsmu bl-addocc mhux fuq il-crossing u iddoqq il-horn sabiex forsi igibhom f'sesihom ikun hemm ikelmek hazin ukoll. F'dan il-pajjiz ma hawnx edukazzjoni fejn jidhol is-sewqan. Veru li x-xufier irrid joqghod attent imma min ikun fit-triq huwa fid-dover li jirrispetta lis-sewwieq ukoll.

Timothy Guntrip

Sep 15th 2010, 23:53

Naturally, as J.Borg says - we cannot speculate about the circumstances of this accident. Pedestrians can often be as equally to blame as motorists. I have witnessed people simply stepping into the road on many an occasion - so there is definitely a need for greater pedestrian awareness.

Having watched the video posted by Chris Finch, I only hope that the fool who almost hit me whilst skidding his souped-up BMW 3-series around a corner near my home will take a look at it at some time or other - and perhaps realise that life is much more precious than making a pathetic attempt to impress his passengers.

M V Agius

Sep 15th 2010, 21:08

Apparently I was about 4 cars behind the Kia. It was a slow moving traffic at the time and the impact must not have been that bad. In fact the driver must have stopped his car instantly & the poor lady was only on the floor in a state of shock & crying in pain... Serious Condition is too big a word! We tried to clear the road instantly and asked the residents to call for an ambulance. I wish a speedy recovery to the poor lady & I hope that the 71 yr old will get over the shock!

Paul Delia

Sep 15th 2010, 21:04

Certain roads still lack having a rail or pavement which make it safe for pedestrians. Comes to mind the roads near 'Splash and fun' and Mellieha bypass. Not to mention the incredible Marfa to Cirkewwa walkway whose pavement is the most dangerous in the island.

J. Borg

Sep 15th 2010, 20:42

Why do we always blame drivers. We have no idea what happened here ... but nowadays pelican lights and zebra crossings have become a street decoration only. So many people are too lazy to use these pedestrain crossings at times just 10 meters away or less! I personally never stop in the middle of a busy road to allow someone who is trying to cross the road to do so when a zebra crossing of lights are a few metres away, hence putting other drivers at risk with sudden braking. On the other hand we all know that speed kills so yes drivers must be careful and not arrogant on the roads!

Eric Camilleri

Sep 15th 2010, 20:00

Excellent link Mr Finch. Unfortunately even a basic safe driving awareness campaign is non existent from those who are supposed to educate the driving community. Only parking tickets is what concerns the Wardens mechanism. Who cares with educating the public. To TM Transport Malta and the Ministry, why and why not even the slightest effort and budget is allocated to driving awareness. Effective TV spot campaigns should have been hammered down our throat years ago with persistent and ongoing campaigns features such as this clip are the reality that the public should be exposed to. Yet nothing NIL ZERO - Absolute apathy. Just pray you, your loved ones and friends don't become statistics !

Denis A. Darmanin

Sep 15th 2010, 19:46

Get well soon Anton.

Chris Finch

Sep 15th 2010, 19:41

I think everyone who drives a car should watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwh_nM4wtrg

Maybe it will make us all think and slow down a bit.