17-year-old critically injured in Marsaxlokk
A 17-year-old boy was critically injured early today when he was hit by a car in Marsaxlokk.
The accident happened in Triq il-Power Station at about 1 a.m.
The vehicle, a VW Golf, was driven by a 19-year-old man. Both driver and victim are from Marsaxlokk.
This was the second major traffic accident involving teenage drivers in two days. A 17-year-old is due to be arraigned today, accused of causing the death of a 77-year-old British tourist who was run over in Qawra late on Sunday.
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Diana Carabott
Jun 30th 2011, 23:55
When someone is critically injured it is difficult to imagine how speeds might have been low. May the victim and his family find the strength to come through this. A car can be repaired, a human life difficultly so.
joyce darmanin
Jun 29th 2011, 07:52
It-triq fejn sar l-inciden hija perikoluza hafna,ghax fiha hafna trap u zrar ma l-art peress li minnha jghadu hafna trakijiet habba it-tkabir li qed isir fil power station allura is s-sewieq meta qed jigi biex izomm il brejk qedin jiskidjaw .imma malta hadd ma jghatik kas li meta isir xoghol ta kustrizjoni it toroq ghandhom jigu imnatfa
Alexia Farrugia
Jun 28th 2011, 22:07
Am so sorry :( I know what it means cause I have been through all this!Have patience,courage and faith in GOD,if you have FAITH in Him everything is possible!!!
Jeff Mead
Jun 28th 2011, 12:36
We read of many traffic accidents of just lately, we were to believe that the roads in Malta are the 2nd safest in europe. i got my doubts now as we don't know whom to believe.only a day or so ago an elderly Britain was killed by a hit-and-run driver. gee whatever next on a small island.
Jos Vella
Jun 29th 2011, 09:17
Jeff Mead, the roads may be the 2nd safest in Europe....a % of our drivers unfortunately are not....i will repeat what I said in previous blogs..... drivers up to age 25 should only be allowed to drive cars up to 1300cc (not to say a 10hp...). High powered vehicles are a joy to ride and to drive......and many of us drivers know how to press a pedal to the metal....but when it comes to sudden braking are we knowledgeable enough how to avoid collision? No need to answer such question because we already know what the answer is...by reading such sad stories.
Mr Peter Korsten
Jun 29th 2011, 22:57
Malta scores so well because distances are short, and speeds are limited. There's a direct correlation between impact speed and injury, and it's also reasonable to assume that the farther you have to drive, the higher your chances are that you have an accident.
If average speed and average distance were thrown into the equation, Malta would fare rather poorly indeed.
John Scerri
Jun 28th 2011, 11:55
just one short comment
'ACCIDENTS NEVER HAPPEN'
THEY ARE ALWAYS CAUSED.
Mr Peter Murray
Jun 28th 2011, 13:56
In my industry the word iACCIDENT has been eradicated from the lexicon(replaced by INCIDENT) -for it implicitly implies that no one is culpable!
Shaun Piscopo
Jun 28th 2011, 11:22
and by the way he was hit at only 15kmph... because the 19 year old was just overtaking as he was parked on the side of the road... so that should shut some wide mouths..
Victor Pulis
Jun 28th 2011, 11:18
What is lacking in Malta is road courtesy and defensive driving. This could be the result of the amount of traffic on our roads which in turn produces road rage. We are heading for a colossal crisis soon where Malta will be gridlocked from end to end. This problem is staring us in the face but no one seems to be taking notice. Now, when the crisis explodes in our faces we'll start looking for solutions as usual.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 15:43
Apart from the amount of traffic you get the road hogs especially trucks and heavy vehicles which drive either on the outside lane or worse still between the two lanes preventing anyone from overtaking and killing you with their vehicles exhaust.
Is there any MP who is willing to ask a PQ on how many drivers were ticketed for driving on the outer lane or between two lanes and obstructing traffic?
Julie Maerker
Jun 28th 2011, 11:17
I just moved here and am an American. Not only from the U.S. but from Southern California where road rage is VERY high which include guns and shooting and the sort. But back to my point. In the U.S. a teen has the HIGHEST insurance ever. Why? Because they are the most known to be careless while driving AND because their lack of experience. Both of these combinations together are deadly. While some of you I hear complaining about the police not cracking down on the law....in California they are over zealous with their tazer guns and billy clubs. You go in one country, the cops want to kill you and go in an other they do nothing. Crazy world we live in.
Shaun Piscopo
Jun 28th 2011, 11:16
you got this all wrong... no street racing was carried.. i was present at the time as they are both my friends... sincerely it was an accident..
stop judging everyone as if you dont have nothing to be judged about..
sick country
Mr C Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 12:09
agree with you Shaun. I do not know the people involved in the accident but many times in this country people judge with their stupid mentality. Just because he was 19 years old does not mean anything. I hope this situation is solved quickly and that nothing goes to worse. Road rage in this country is happening because people are totally fed up of the situation in this country. The government is pressing too much on the people and the population is stressed. We have ridiculous speed limits in certain roads where speed should be higher and speed cameras ready to take money out of our pockets at the slightest occuring problem. All this together with head stress and general life stress can easily get a driver to make a mistake.
On a final note I would like to say that BOTH the driver and pedestrian are responsible for their safety on the road and that the pedestrians are the ones without a huge strong metal chassis protection so its the pedestrians that need to care for themselves and the driver to try IF POSSIBLE to be more careful. Accidents are accidents. Stop blaming the drivers !!! 5, 50 or 100 km per hour its still a car that is hitting you so YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT! End of discussion.
Shaun Piscopo
Jun 28th 2011, 13:15
well said mr camilleri... why do we always blame the driver? everyone should stay careful in their actions... i could be walking in a street and decide to jump off in front of a car... then what we do? we blame the drvier...
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 15:46
Shaun Piscopo Mr C Camilleri Agree with you.
Good luck to the injured person and also to the driver.
Shaun Piscopo that happened to me several time where people just appear from behind a parked vehicle without caring to look both ways. Had I not always been driving carefully and on the lookout for such persons God only knows what would have happened.
Mr JOSEPH ZAMMIT
Jun 28th 2011, 11:13
All we need URGENTLY, is good education campaign for drivers and pedestrians. Use the TV and other media to teach and make aware.
The accident of Karl Bezzina is a common case. many are those who use the mirrors--both internal one and the outside ones--to check their teeth, hair or make-up. Others believe that once they have turned their indicator on--if ever-- they can change lane there and then.
Ms Xaxa Caruana
Jun 28th 2011, 11:10
And yet not a single comment saying A GET WELL VERY SOON TO THE INJURED!
Michael Flaherty
Jun 28th 2011, 10:56
I think the media has it all backwards. Examination conditions are much more stringent recently - it is the older generation which should benefit from higher insurance premiums, as it only took a drive round the block to get it back then, not to mention the fact that reflexes get slower as one ages, making a 50 year old much more likely to press his brake later than a 17 yr old. Sure, some people have octane in their blood, or are just plain inconsiderate, but the fact of the matter is that since for the first 3 years after one obtains their license, they are on probation - meaning early drivers drive even more carefully than anyone else. Does anyone ever think of the above before they comment?
What about speed cameras, which force the driver to glue his eyes to his dashboard instead of his windscreen? And yes, some pedestrians think they are immune to cars/ that it is not their responsibility to ensure they cross safely. What happened to look once, twice, thrice before crossing?
Mr robert micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 11:30
yes a 50 year old will usually be slower in reaction time but then also his speed will be slower. you do not seem to understand the Maltese very much. the driving exam now is difficult only so that the would be driver has to do it twice or three times which means more money for the authorities. Once they get the driving license then all the rules are forgotten. why is it that so many young people drive at 30-40km/hr on a main road on the overtaking lane(hand out side ofcourse) ? i would expect older people to do something like this.
as for pedestrians, the accidents do not usually happen because they did not look 2 or 3 times. but a car would overtake a slower, heavier vehicle from very close distance so the forward view of the overtaking car is impaired. and they find the pedestrian who only saw the heavier slower truck coming directly in its path. thus in my opinion overtaking especially when changing of lanes is done in a sharp manner is very dangerous as it blocks the forward view until you are on the overtaking lane. that is why many people are hit on zebra crossing and lights.
Mr C Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 12:13
so much agree with you Michael. I would add one thing as well... not only the dashboard because of speedcameras but also the road per se because of some pothole that will cost you dear and the government does not give a damn about the damage you suffered to your car. So the driver is stuck to everything except to watching where he is going !!! And its not his / her fault.
Franco Abela
Jun 28th 2011, 10:55
What we need is more traffic police presence on our roads, circulating on their bikes and noting and fining irresponsible drivers as they used to do in the past.
Now it seems that we are alone on the road with no one watching!
n grech
Jun 28th 2011, 11:35
I agree. The arrogant, selfish and negligent way a considerable number of drivers act because they can get away with it is incredible.
n grech
Jun 28th 2011, 11:39
Of course in all fairness, police or wardens should also caution jaywalking pedaestrians.
vincent a galea
Jun 28th 2011, 10:53
But is this not a very, very strange incident ?!!!
How much traffic was there at 1 a.m. on Triq il-Power Station, in Marsaxlokk ??!!
Two youths from Marsaxlokk.... One driving (presumably at a speed), one walking along the same road at that time of the morning!!
Strange !!
karl bezzina
Jun 28th 2011, 10:12
I am 20 years old.. and I had 1 bumper to bumper in the two years that i have been driving. And the cause of this accident was when a man who was over 40 years old decided to open his parked car's door while I was passing by!... thank god I was only doing around 40km/h... So is that my fault?!
And I am a huge car fan... and I do own a sports car and I know the fast and furious movies by heart.. and I go to the 1/4mile track every week, and so do all my friends....does that make me a wreck less driver !? does that justify me being charged 4 times what a 30 year old is charged for his insurance? the solution is a good education campaign for drivers and pedestrians alike... and harsh fines and license suspensions ! not making me pay! that doesn't prevent any accidents from happening!
karl bezzina
Jun 28th 2011, 10:20
PS. The accident I had was ruled to be my fault! and my insurance doubled because instead of hitting the man coming out of his car i swerved and hit slightly the rear end of his car!!... so should i have hit the man? Malta and its laws!
Mr Peter Murray
Jun 28th 2011, 10:49
Dear Karl,
To answer you question -NO YOUR AGE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MAKE YOU A RECKLESS DRIVER.However,sadly the majority of drivers in your age group most certainly are and don't take my word for it simply check the insurers road accident and claims statistics.I however do agree with you in that you and other drivers in the 18-25 years of age group are marginalised and discriminated against regarding insurance premiums purely on age grounds and not applied on any claims or accidents registered by an individual in that age group. I am given an insurance discount simply because I belong in the over -55 age group irrespective of my driving ability or past record .
Maria Fenech
Jun 29th 2011, 22:28
From what i learned in my driving lessons: ALWAYS keep enough distance from parked cars that if they decide to open their door, you do not hit it. and driving in maltese roads i know that is something very difficult but if the road is so narrow that you can't keep the distance i'd slow down even more.
I have in fact my license now and do just that
Rachel Saliba
Jun 28th 2011, 09:55
...and not that long ago, Times of Malta published a story saying they had the 3rd safest roads in the EU... really?
A Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 10:06
I never believed that anyhow...lol
Mr emanuel busuttil
Jun 28th 2011, 09:52
one can debate on this forever and never comes to a conclusion. remember james dean movie 'rebel without a cause'? thats what teenagers are behind a wheel albeit thankfully not all. some are heavily influenced by movies such as fast n furious, total disregard for safty to themselves and others, i pity their families who have to go thru an anguished life, the bereaved and the perpetrators themselves whose normal life is all but over having to live and come to terms with their actions.
Kevin Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 09:50
OK... a 17 yr old was hit by a 19 yr old.
The 17yr old must not have been walking on the pavement, but either in the middle of the road or crossing the road. The same thing as regards to the poor lady that was killed yesterday.
In this country we have a big issue with road rage, very true, but also with pedestrians who do not use zebra crossings and cross the road carelessly. So if I am driving in a road where the speed limit is 45, and I am obeying the speed limit, and a child, or teenage decides to jump from behind a car in the middle of the road, and hit him, is that MY fault sorry? No it is the pedestrian's fault. If an old guy decides to cross the road in a blind corner, and while doing a corner I find him in the middle of the road, and knock him down, is it my fault? No sorry! If I am racing at 120kmph in a road and I hit another car or hit someone while crossing on a zebra crossing, that is MY FAULT - YES.
Pedestrians should take special care when crossing a road, a car may malfunction and break might not work or the driver could not have seen you. OK, than it is the driver's fault, but who will get to hospital, the driver? No the pedestrian. So please, all of us should take care of ourselves first.
Mr Etienne Galea
Jun 28th 2011, 10:12
You are absolutely right, or almost. Depends on the case. For example in Marsaxlokk it is very easy to get run over by a care : with all does food outlets clogging the pavements. Imagine walking on the pavement with your child in a pushchair : impossible. But I guess people who have the money in their pockets have more rights then those who battle to make ends meet at the end of the month. U iva, they are nor worth the bother hux!
Mr Peter Bonello
Jun 28th 2011, 10:20
Totally agree with you!!
Sometimes drivers are at fault due to over speeding in crowed zones or not taking proper attention. This is very serious as it may cost lives.
But most of the times the pedestrian is stripped of any responsibility. I seriously think some pedestrians think a car could be brought to a halt instantly. Even driving at the speed limit, it requires a few meters for a car to stop completely. A driver cannot be held responsible for a pedestrian who is not responsible for his life first!!
And lastly I would like to comment about these teenagers I am seeing lately, cycling at night in the middle of main roads without any light. I m sure they feel really cool, until a car hits them and then they wont feel anything!! the police should take care of them as well!!
Stephen Koludrovic
Jun 28th 2011, 09:45
@ Peter Murray,
The reason why car hire companies do not rent cars to under 25 year old persons is because they are not Idiots.
Mr john vella
Jun 28th 2011, 09:38
Were on earth are the traffic police???????????????????
I guess too busy worrying not to consume fuel for their police motor bike?
Come on, we have to do something. A few days again on PBS I heard we are one of the best in Europe for the low amount of traffic accidents or am I mistaken. I thought it was a joke :-)
The fact is another broken family, maybe for life, with no end or control to this non sense in sight!
Mr Peter Murray
Jun 28th 2011, 08:50
What t I find extremely diffciult to comprehend is the fact that insurer's will readily provide private vehicle insurance for 18 year old Maltese subjects they will not provide insurance for Maltese citizens to enable them to hire a vehicle until they reach the age of 25 years.!Yet citizens of another country with suitable qualifciations and licensing can hire vehicles at age 18 .Why this discriminatory difference?Are other countrries 18 year olds better and safer drivers?In any event,what we urgently need is for the driving age limit to be raised as the vast majority of road incidents are committed by inexperienced teenage drivers or those in their early twenties.
Ryan Scicluna
Jun 28th 2011, 09:16
"what we urgently need is for the driving age limit to be raised"?!?!?
Are you serious? why should those who drive well get the same treatment as those who drive recklessly?
How about more vigilance from their parents or no driving lession until they are 18 because as I belive you heard most of the 18 year olds that are involved in car accidents don't even have a License yet.
And what about other countries where people start driving at the age of 16 do they have the same accidents we are experiencing lately?
Paul Caruana
Jun 28th 2011, 09:21
"committed by inexperienced teenage drivers" ... so according to you, if I get my Licence at 40 I would be an experienced driver at the moment I get the licence? First laugh of the morning.
What we should do is a massive driving campaign education. For example, the outer lane should be used for over-taking and not for Cikku to drive at 10 km/h on his Sunday drive!
Road rage is what causes most accidents ... and surely, without a doubt, this is caused by the older generation on both drivers of their generations and younger ones.
Mr Matthew Galea
Jun 28th 2011, 09:34
its not because they are inexperienced, its because SOME are careless and king of the roads. Please don't generalize that ALL 18 year old's don't know how to drive. I bet you started driving at age 18 :)
(Unless you are 40 or something)
Jacob Bowdler
Jun 28th 2011, 09:40
If it's experience that is needed I hardly regard raising the driving age to be a factor of having more experience. Starting to drive at 25 would still make the drivers unexperienced... if you don't mean they should take lessons for years? Still an idea to be looked into as a lot of these silly accidents are dreadful.
Mr Peter Murray
Jun 28th 2011, 10:04
Please read what I wrote and get your facts rigtht before levelling accusations at me for things I never actually said nor intimated I never said ALL young drivers are bad or dangerous drivers and dangerous drivers do not have an age group monopoly but just check out the statistics for those within this age group having road accidents and making claims and then provide me with as to possible the reason as to why drivers in the 18-25 age group bracket are charged substantially higher premiums by insurers as perhaps i missed something?
Mr Matthew Galea
Jun 28th 2011, 10:53
high insurance - an excuse of "he is not experienced so he is more prone to accidents"
age group - the reason that many of them are in that age group is because SOME have teen driving for years without a license and now that they have it, they are king of the roads (and we all know what happens then)
claiming i'm lting about what you said - if the age should be raised, then you ARE saying that 18year old's don't know how to drive.
Vincent Galea
Jun 28th 2011, 08:46
Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on ?
R. Bartolo
Jun 28th 2011, 09:17
Mr. Galea, let me tell you what is going on. A bunch of people think they are cool racers, and like racing around in populated areas with no care for human life.
When you report them to the police (as I did) by giving them the exact location, time, and number plates, they ignore you. You ask them for help, and they do not even answer back.
Then these SAME EXACT people run over and kill some one, and we all stay crying afterwards.
Does this answer your question?
Mr marco caruana
Jun 28th 2011, 09:46
well said R.Bartolo ...
and i will translate in maltese ...
hafna zghazagh drivin golfs..bmw's ....etc jahsbu li lehqu s sema u dardru kull mawn !!!
Mr Peter Murray
Jun 28th 2011, 10:07
Absolutely right sir,but you failed to direct our attention to the age of these "cool racers"
Lela Balzan
Jun 28th 2011, 10:14
Prosit,R. Bartolo and Mr marco caruana I agree with you 100%,very well said.
N Mifsud
Jun 28th 2011, 11:16
Dear Mr Bartolo,
I am young and both myself and my husband drive a Golf. i was never a careless driver even when I was 18. However, I do people of more than 35/40 yrs driving xi Escort jew Subaru jaqduhom fit triq u nkun ghaddejja bit tifla jwahxuk. Hence, even though the statistics show more accidents linked to young people, it all depends on the character and on the maturity.
Mr Patrick Magri
Jun 28th 2011, 13:22
Mr/Mrs Bartolo, Caruana, Murray and Balzan,
Where you all there on site to witness the accident??
Do you lot know EXACTLY what happened and how??
Here's your answer...NO...so shut it up. It's so easy to comment and judge and the right word for it is speculate. You know NOTHING, but on the other hand I know something is for sure from your end.......you're all like those that Jesus called "Oqbra mbajjda"
OH, and by the way....I happen to know well the driver and I know what happened last night and let me assure you that it has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with Fast Cars, Cool Racers, li haseb li lahaq is-sema u dardir and all the tripe you're all spouting. Now run along and stop being internet saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R. Bartolo
Jun 28th 2011, 15:33
@N Mifsud - Most probably I am even younger than you. I did not mention ages, and I did not generalise. All bad drivers should be reported to the police, and the police should ALWAYS take action. That was, and still is, my point.