Unacceptable use of emergency lane

During the week, I make at least four trips a day driving to and from Birkirkara, so I am entirely aware of how manic the traffic situation can be. This is especially the case on the road adjacent to Mater Dei Hospital on the way to the bypass, which is always clogged up with traffic.

However, fellow motorists seem to believe that long queues for the roundabout make a valid excuse to skip the normal are entirely and instead use the emergency vehicle lane created specifically for Mater Dei’s ambulances. It is shocking to see the sheer number of cars whizzing down that lane just to avoid queuing for the bypass – like the rest of us mere mortals!

Of course it’s annoying to have to wait when you are late for work or school, or an appointment of some sort. However, using the emergency vehicle lane is unacceptable.

What is even more unacceptable is the presence of traffic police by the Mater Dei roundabout, who should be preventing this from happening by issuing fines – yet apparently this seems to be an accepted code of conduct because every traffic policeman I have encountered there so far turns a blind eye to these motorists, as well as the signs on the emergency lane clearly pointing out that it is solely for ambulance use.

Luckily, as far as I am aware, there hasn’t been a situation where ambulances have been blocked in their lane by rogue cars in the wrong line.

However, it is only a matter of time before this occurs and something more serious happens.