If it were not utterly irresponsible, I would advise those trying to navigate our roads this summer to take a stiff drink before every trip to preserve their sanity. Suddenly, the whole of Malta has become a massive building site with road works taking place throughout the island.

It is a mystery as to why these works always seem to be undertaken when the tourism season is about to begin. We have a mild winter, so weather conditions are definitely not the reason behind this bad planning that is irritating operators in the tourism industry and even tourists who often have to drive in such unpleasant conditions.

Few would doubt that the state of our roads is still pathetic. But with road blocks sprouting on many road arteries, was there a real need to adopt a policy of doing little or nothing for years and then start different projects simultaneously, presumably to have them completed by early 2013? If you add to this the major works taking place in Valletta, one can easily understand the anger of road users and retailers at the disruption that this is causing.

There are, however, some apparently positive developments. Arriva, the private operator of our new bus service, is doing a good job in informing the public about the system to be introduced as from early July. Their informative literature that is being distributed in every home, the upgrading of the bus stop shelters, and the training of their drivers are like the application of a soothing balm on the sore wounds of long suffering bus users.

The new route services, despite the rise in fares, are in some respects better than the present ones and will hopefully reduce the number of cars on the road. This is more relevant since the price of petrol and diesel continues to rise relentlessly, despite fluctuations in the price of crude oil. One other benefit which we should savour is the elimination of the old buses that are polluting our air as the police and traffic wardens seem to have given up on their duty of stopping heavy and not so heavy vehicles from poisoning us and our children.

The management of our road system seems to be in a state of dormancy. A weekend exercise to fill in some dangerous potholes will not cost the earth and could possibly prevent some nasty accidents and expensive repairs to our vehicles. Another dangerous and irritating characteristic of our road network is the planting of high bushes in our centre strips near roundabouts and road junctions. These bushes obstruct the view of motorists trying to navigate dangerous traffic spots. This problem could be resolved in a week with little cost, if only the political will and common sense prevailed to make our roads safer.

Sometimes the initative of a public spirited journalist raises awareness about this issue and eventually something gets done to improve road conditions. My concern is that so many road users have become cynical, that they do not even bother to complain knowing their gripes will, as usual, fall on deaf ears.

The efficiency of our road network has a direct impact on our economy. I often get caught up behind a horse driven cab on the road between Pieta and Valletta in the morning rush hour. To control my frustration, I make quick mental calculations on how much the five minute delay that often results for drivers caught in this situation costs the economy. I would also like to meet the official who decides to send workmen with bowsers to water plants on traffic islands and roundabouts in the rush hours. I am curious to know how he calculates the economic cost of the delays they cause to drivers trying to get on with their work as effectively as possible.

But perhaps the most irritating example of nonchalance on the part of traffic wardens is the lack of enforcement of basic good practice in the use of the road by some of our drivers. Who has not experienced irritation, anger and despair when one sees a car parked in the middle of a road with hazard lights on while its driver goes in a shop to buy whatever he or she needs?

So, while my advice is for no one to take ‘one drink for the road’, I can understand those who need more than one drink after spending less than an hour on our roads.

jcassarwhite@yahoo.com