Qawra hit-and-run - Court hears husband's account of accident
The husband of Qawra hit and run victim Elizabeth Whilems this afternoon described in court how the car which hit and killed his wife 'came out of nowehere'.
He gave evidence during the arraignment of Mel Spiteri, 18 of Birkirkara, who was accused of the involuntary homicide of Elizabeth Tucknutt Whilems, 77 on Sunday at about 10.45 p.m.
He was also accused of having failed to stop, driving without a licence and insurance, leaving the scene of a crime, failing to drive slowly near a zebra crossing and driving at excessive speed.
He pleaded not guilty.
The victim's husband, Maurice, 78, said that on the night in question he was crossing the road with his wife right in front of the hotel where they were staying.
Three to four cars passed and then when they saw no cars approaching, they decided to cross the road.
All of a sudden, when he had reached the middle of the road, with his wife one pace in front of him, there was "a burst of headlights" and he heard a loud noise.
The car, he said, came out of nowhere and was going so fast he did not even see it. He then turned towards his wife and saw her body 30 to 40 metres up the road.
Mr Whilems said he and his wife had been coming to Malta for the past 40 years and had been staying at the Qawra Palace for the past 10 to 12 years.
Mr Whilems insisted that the road was well lit and they had looked in both directions before crossing.
After the incident, he was taken to the hotel and helped by a doctor, who later gave him the sad news about his wife.
He said he noted splatters of his wife's blood on his left shoulder, but he was not injured.
In cross examination, he said there were two zebra crossing, one 150 metres away and another some 40 metres away. During the day they used to use the zebra crossing because there were a lot of cars. They had not used the zebra crossing on the evening because the hotel was right opposite and at that time of night there were hardly any cars.
A witness, Brian Joseph Mortimer, a tourist from Liverpool, said he had been sitting outside the Qawra Palace Hotel when the incident happened. The car that was involved in the incident stood out because of its 'erratic speed'.
The car, he said, was doing at least 50mph.
He said that on the night, in his opinion, the road was not well lit.
He said he saw the victim somersault over the car and ran over to her. "It was not a pretty sight," he said.
Magistrate Myriam Hayman turned down a request for bail.
Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were counsel for the accused.
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164 Comments
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A. Attard
Jun 29th 2011, 22:56
one of those noisy cars which some idiots rev up along the road to irritate people around???
whatever....street well lit or not....couples crossing over zebra crossing or not...the only thing that sticks out is that the driver allegedly did not have a licence, was uninsured, was driving a freaking excessive speed AND he did not even bother to stop to see whether the woman needs help or otherwise. a complete disregard towards human life. and its not like he did not see her. a witness said she made a somersault over the car. well....the driver, if guilty, is rotten from the start. remove his licence. and hard work in a noisy environment (after all, he probably likes revving the car to the bother of the people around) for the rest of his life. if jailed, throw away the key. such disregard to human life is enough reason for that.
Joseph Borg
Jun 29th 2011, 11:54
Ma rriddx nidhol fil mertu tal incident..imma ejja niehdu il kaz li kieku din is sinjura kienet imtajra min ragel ta 40 sena bil licenjza u kien qed isuq bi speed skond i ligi (45-50k/hr).
Jekk kif qed naqra hawn mil kummenti qed tghidu ghax bil lejl u mhux bil lejl is speed ma ghandux jinbidel (rightly so)
ghaliex bin nhar din il koppja taqsam min fuq iz zebra crossing u bil lejl, meta potenzjalment huwa aktar riskjuz le? meta kien hemm zebra crossing fuq iz-zewg nahat? ghax qisu kulhadd qed jinsa dan il fattur.
Minhix nghid li il guvni ghandu ragun...far from it...pero xi ftit mija cupla hemm ukoll nahseb!
Ms G Schembri
Jun 29th 2011, 13:53
Kieku din il-mara kienet mtajra min sewwieq (irrelevanti is-sess jew l-eta ) li kien qed isuq 45-50 k/hr ( minghalija hemmekk l-ispeed limit huwa hafna anqas), kieku ma kienux jigbru mohha minn nofs it-triq, kieku forsi kienet tikser xi kustilja jew xi sieq, u thallas kollox l-insurance.
Ms M. Bartolo
Jun 29th 2011, 19:17
First of all speed limit in build-up areas is 50kph (km/hr) and not "hafna anqas". Secondly, pedestrians should learn how to use "aids" provide to them (such as zebra crossing, traffic lights and pavement) when on the streets. It is not fair that when pedestrians fail to observe the rules they are not booked as the drivers are!
Having said that, I think that if found guilty the driver should be banned for life from driving and the owner of the car should be brought infront of the justice due to his involvement in the accident!
Ganni Sciberras
Jun 29th 2011, 20:45
U int tahseb li kiku dik l anzja (RIP)kinet fuq iz zebra li kinet 40 meters il boghda min laqatha kien ha jirnexxilu jnaqqas l ispeed. Mhuxx xorta kinet titajjar! Li tridu tghidu hu li il fatt li ma kinux fuq iz zebra cross dan iz zaghzuh bravu, jekk jinstab hati,ha jihu sentenza inqas ( jekk jihu). Peru jien ghalija m andux jigri ekk l akkuzat, jekk hati, haqqu pina harxa ghax kiku kulhadd jaghmel bhalu ara kemm jinqatlu nies kuljum daqs kemm tara min ma jaqsamx ,min fuq iz zebra cross! Billi issuqu gass down ma tihdu xejn u kullhadd hemm bzonn li jdahhala f mohhu din!
Rita Debono
Jun 29th 2011, 23:07
U x'differenza taghmel zebra crossing jew pelican lights? Jien naqsam dejjem minn fuq il-pelican lights ta' hdejna u darba minn kull tliet darbiet ikun hemm min jibqa' tiela' full-speed bil-lights homor!! Hawn Malta m'hawn dixxiplina ta' xejn. Jekk ma jihraxux il-pieni dan il-pajjiz jibqa' sejjer lura; ma nghidx "imur il-bahar" ghax diga` qieghed hemm!!
Ms G Schembri
Jun 30th 2011, 04:01
In certain places speed limit is as low as 30/35KPH I'm not very familiar with that area so I wouldn't know but there are certain 30 kph zones in Qawra.
Christina Pace
Jun 30th 2011, 09:23
I agree. Pedestrians should be held accountable for their behaviour just as much as driver.
Walking on the tarmac when there are perfectly good pavements is unacceptable. Crossing a road at a junction without looking is unacceptable. Walking with pushchairs on the tarmac should be punishable by a hefty fine. Crossing the road at blind spots such as is the one in this case is almost suicidal. All I am saying is one should not complain about the blisters if they were playing with fire.
Having said that, one would take the risk at night and not during daylight hours with the assumption that a car's headlight is gonna give you fair warning of an approaching car no matter how fast its going.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 30th 2011, 11:22
@Christina Pace
Very blinkered of you.
I won't bother arguing that the driver was the one driving a potential weapon and therefore to be held in higher liability than the pedestrian who could at most have dented the driver's bonnett.
You conveniently omit the factor that the driver allegedly ran away from the scene. For that alone, the penalty should be much harsher.
c.t. busuttil
Jun 29th 2011, 11:39
Besides the driver, I think other people may be involved in this tragedy... Whose car was it? Who let a young, uninsured man have the keys to this high-powered car? Giving or lending a car to someone so young puts half the responsibility on us, parents, friends, whoever. Drivers without at least one year's driving licence (although this does not signify practice) should be barred from driving high-powered cars. It really takes simple common sense and a normal level of responsibility. No new laws are strictly needed.
jane deguara nee hughes
Jun 30th 2011, 10:20
@Christina Pace, allegedly he didnt put the lights on till he was on top of them, they was already in the middle of the road.
Ms Lucia Davies
Jun 29th 2011, 09:34
Are these people for real , writing about excessive speed because the road are empty or it's night. speeding laws are there 24/7 especially in built up areas, no excuses about age either, driving a car is like having a weapon in your hand IT KILLS. Having a small or large car is no excuse either, have nothing against young people I have sons who were eighteen not long ago, but at that age they are not experienced enough to go racing down any streets in Malta.. let me tell you I have a big car been driving it regularly the last three years, if I was not experienced and used to this car I would have probably caused a large accident coming back from Armier last sunday as my brakes went suddenly, luckily I was just taking off and noticed something was not right with my brakes, slowed down and parked, and to my greatest shock there was oil all over my wheel the brake fluid was coming out,. thank God we were not going down the hill in Mellieha,, we had it towed away. and the 5 of us and maybe a few more were safe
Simon Cutajar
Jun 29th 2011, 10:13
Miss Davies do you have an idea what is disipline ? here in Malta no one knows what it is . Here we have the laws and everyone break them . We have laws for those who are weak . I spend nearly half of the day driving and I find : poeple talking on there mobile while driving , eating , argueing with the passengers ,tinted glasses which here in malta are illegal , motorcyclists driving without lights on( including police officers ) , cars passing from tunnels with lights off , passing from one way streets , ignoring road signs , driving with licence or insurance policy , and if I keep going I have to spend the day writing . This is how the driving day it will be . Just take a ride with the car during a day of work and you can see for yourself . And the most important thing now .........how the reckless driver is going to be charged ! maybe a one year suspension of the licence and 1000 euros fine and free as a bird ( and while he spend the sentence he still drives ehh ! )
WELCOME TO MALTA
Louis Risso
Jun 29th 2011, 02:02
@Justin Catania. There is no excuse to hit and run, one has to stop and render assistance after an accident. If you don't you are gong to have the full rap of the law whether you were at fault or not, whether you are driving in Malta or not, whether you are driving a sports car or a karrakka as you put it. Also I cannot understand why are giving all the excuses for this bloke who allegedly done the wrong thing by driving off, and no I was your age once and no I did not ever do stupid things like this, never ran no one over and kept driving. Accidents do happen of course but this was no accident, once he allegedly took this car whilst unlicenced he knew already that he was doing the wrong thing. So grow up and never excuse any one who is in the wrong.
Justin Catania
Jun 29th 2011, 11:20
I'm excusing no one. Jien edt j'Alla jiehu dak li haqqu li kieku qrajt l-kumment sew. Jien semmejt problemi ingenerali.. hadt l-opportunita minn dan l-artiklu. Ghamilt xi haga ta immaturita Louis?
emmanuel scicluna
Jun 29th 2011, 21:21
Thank you Louis. I agree 100%.
Josef Petroni
Jun 28th 2011, 23:45
Two days later - same stretch of road - people (Maltese and Tourists) still crossing the road a few metres away from the zebra crossing, and cars still driving at an excessive speed.
Lessons learnt from this incident - I'd say nothing much
Adriana Borg
Jun 28th 2011, 23:18
Nithasru lil dan il guvni u imsiken il familja tieghu ghax ma bhal ma allegatament gara lilu seta gara lili u lil kulhadd!!!!
Michelle de Maria
Jun 29th 2011, 22:53
Int bis-serjeta Adriana - allegatament kien qed isuq minghajr licenzja, minghajr insurance, bi speed eccessiv u qatel lil xi hadd u ha tghidlu miskin min fuq - ara veru mhux ta b'xejn qatt ma nfiequ hawn Malta
Adriana Borg
Jun 30th 2011, 11:20
Kieku kin it tifel tieghek tahsiba mod iehor mhux et nghid li ma ghandux tort ta ghax allegatament zbajla bl ikrah imma nithasru ghandu piz li irid igoru ghomru at ghandu 18 il sena !
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 30th 2011, 11:26
Adriana,
Mhux ahjar tithassar lil dik li mietet u r-ragel li halliet warajha??
Il-guvni ghad jizzewweg u jrabbi, u l-qrati jwahlulu xi sena bla licenzja... arem hej.
Dan il-povru ragel se jispicca jqatta l-bqija ta' hajtu wahdu.
Fabia Azzopardi
Jun 30th 2011, 12:32
int bis-serjeta? tithassar lil guvni li allegatament saq karozza bla licenzja u insurance, tajjar bniedma u baqa sejjer? U lil dak ir ragel u tifla tieghu li gew holiday ma ommhom u sejrin lura biha go kaxxa ma tithassaromx?
Mr mark johnson
Jun 28th 2011, 23:18
No driving licence means either did not take driving test or has failed it or had licence taken away.
Until this is taken seriously then there will be more and more death on the roads of this fair island.
Mr George Attard
Jun 28th 2011, 22:35
Speed is not the issue here. The man was allegedly driving without a license, without insurance and allegedly killed someone. That is involentary manslaughter and a very serious crime. He shouldn't have been behind the wheel. This act of irrespoinsibility caused the death of someone and, if guilty, he should be punished to the full extent of the law.
I would like to finally see our law courts come down really hard this time and make an example out of this man.
derek smith
Jun 28th 2011, 21:52
its been a long time coming for something like this to happen in this road, duering the day you cant move because of the coaches parked outside the hotel, coming out of tourist steet on to the main road is a work of art, (a women nearly hit me there the other day), at night cars do speed from fra ben past the qawra palace towards fuagos, the road is well lit, but why is the zebra crossing not closer to the hotel, there should be a well lit crossing there, i live down the road from it and every day people are crossing outside the hotel, perhaps if the hotel were to move the coaches then they could put a crossing there, as for the guy driving a mitsubish FTOat 18yrs old, well im a car mechanic and that is too powerfull for an 18yr old in malta, as for the accident and not stopping, he deservses a heavy sentance.
M.O. Micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 20:39
what a crap society is engulfing our country...I hope that if he is guilty he never drives again and that he gets at least 30 years...to all those excusing this person...what if the victim was your mother ??
Justin Catania
Jun 28th 2011, 19:45
Jien ghandi 18 -il sena u ghandi golf mark 15 1.6 ltr. Mhix karozza li tigri daqs il mitsubishi FTO pero jien ghandu xi hadd jikkundannani ghax kelli x-xorti li nixtri karozza moderna b'magna daqsxejn b'sahhita? Kif qrajt minn kummenti ta qabel wiehed kapaci joqtol persuna anke b'karakka.. Nixtieqkom tahsbu wkoll li kieku kontu fis sitwazzjoni ta dan il guvni li ghadu zghir, bla licenzja u insurance kontux tipruvaw taharabu mis sitwazzjoni? Ma rridx naghti impressjoni li qed naqbez ghalih jew hekk anzi kieku jien minnfloku, kieku hrabt u ma nqabdx naf bic cert li xorta wahda nkisser hajti bil kundanni li naghti lili nnifsi u lanqas biss nista nimmagina minn xix addejin dawn it turisti. Pero din il haga li kulhadd jippunta subajh ghax bniedem hazin mhix korretta lanqas u ghalkemm dan il guvni ma weggax fizikament, kulhadd jaf kemm se terga tkun difficli biex jibni hajtu. Fejn tridu tibatuh il habs? Fejn hemm abbuzi sesswali, fizikali, mentali u anke traffikar ta drogi? Jien nitkellem ma min hu ikbar minni sew kulhadd jirakonta bil buzulotti li kienu jaghmlu.. jiehdu lkarozzi tal genituri ta hmistax -il sena da kollu kien awn ftit fit toroq dak iz zmien. U mhux persuna wahda ed nghidu .. alura nistagbu ax dan saq bla licenzja u insurance? Hadd minnkom ma isogra f'hajtu?
Hawn Malta il-problema kbira hija li jekk tghid li mintix hati bhal ma naraw fuq hafna artikli iva tehel inqas! Huwa l-avukat stess li jissugerilek taghti dik listqarrija fcertu kazi.. La kien ga ammetta mal puluzija u li qal li baqa sejjer ghax ipanikja ghalxiex kellu jghid li mhux hati quddiem il magistrat?
Dawn huma punti ingenerali mhux ghax dan guvni u ghax andu tmintax -il sena.. j'Alla jiehu dak li haqqu ax hu zbalja pero l-parti tal-problema l-ohra hi Malta. Affarijiet ta l-ahhar huma li fil verita certu xjuh iva huma iktar perikoluzi mil-guvintur, certu xufieri ta taxis u tal-linja, kif ikoll issib min jaqsamlek bl-addocc! Tahsbu li dawn it turisti li kieku vera qasmu bl-addocc ha jghid li huwa tort taghhom? Hawn hafna min ghandu halqu ikbar minn rasu u ilsienu itwal minn gismu!
Mr Victor A
Jun 28th 2011, 20:14
il punt hu li 18-il sena ghandek inqas minn sena esperjenza ta' sewqan, b'makna b'sahhita bizejjed biex ittik pjacir tafas il-gas fejn lanqas hawn toroq kapaci fejn tizviluppa b'dak li toffri il-karozza! kulhadd kellu 18-il sena u kulhadd jaghmel il-bravati ghax hemm nuqqas ta' maturita! it-trabi meta jibdew l-ewwel passi jitilqu jigru u mhux jimxu u ghalekk ta' sikwiet dejjem jaqaw ma l-art. L-Maltin kieku kapaci ikollom ftit pacenzja u ftit ta' manjieri kapaci nevitaw dizgrajzzji fejn anki is sewieqa stess jispiccaw vittimi tac-cucati li jaghmlu, imsieken il vittmi li ma jahtux. qed nighdlek b'esperjenza ghax tlift 7 hbieb b'incidenti tat-traffiku! il-karozza tpaxxa biha int u mhux t'paxxi lin-nies.
Matthew Micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 20:53
Amilt account kemm nijdlek PROSET. Almenu fadal xi hadd li andu naqa sens frasu. Kont qed naqta qalbi min dal pajjiz.
Mark Bord
Jun 28th 2011, 22:12
Mr Victor A.: Well said...
emmanuel scicluna
Jun 28th 2011, 23:00
Justin Cachia, ghandek il-wicc tistaqsina li konna sis-sitwazzjoni ta' dak il-guvni? Bla licenzja lanqas bis nohlom li nsuq karrozza.
Kurt Mifsud
Jun 29th 2011, 00:17
Victor ma tistax tipponta subajk lejn kulhadd. Ilni minn meta bdejt insuq jien 10snin ilu b'karozzi b'sahhithom u narma imma dejjem kont responsabbli bizzejjed biex jekk ma nafasx fit-triq. Meta ridt nafas kont immur fl-imwarrab jew hal far. Hadd ma jsemmi li dal-gvern dejjem ipprova joqtol il-motorsport u baqa jwebbes rasu biex ma jibnix track sura ta nies.
R. Gauci
Jun 29th 2011, 02:03
Allura bl-argument tieghek Mr. Catania naqbdu u nibghatu teenagers jaghmlu praspar u joqtlu persuni nnocenti bla ma jinghataw kastig ghax imsieken ghadhom zghar. Dan il-guvnott jidher li zbalja, kien jaf li ma kellux dritt jitla fuq dik il-karozza fuq id-driver's side ghax kieku ma kienx jahrab mill-post, allura issa jrid ihallas. Habs ibqa zgur mhux sejjer ghax Malta pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse u wisq probabbli jehel multa u sena sospensjoni tal-licenzja, miskina l-vittma u familtha li gew hawn ghall-ftit serhan u raw lil mahbuba taghhom imbiccra, li kieku Allahares qatt kienet ommok nahseb kont titkellem mod iehor, ma kontx issejhilha bravata ta` zaghzugh zgur.
Justin Catania
Jun 29th 2011, 11:11
@ Victor naqbel mieghek 100% pero jien ma tkelimtx fuq hekk biss..
@ Emmanuel Scicluna inti xi wiehed minn dawk li tahseb ax bravu int bravu kulhadd? Dak x'taghmel int mhux x'jaghmel haddiehor.
@ R.Gauci Jien addejt kumment tijaj ingenerali jekk qrajt sew u mhux ax kien guvni ta tmintax il sena. Certu affarijiet japplikaw al kulhadd u il problemi li nara jien minn naha tieghi + li jien fil kumment qatt ma semmejt li dan il guvni andu ragun, bravu talli ghamel u m'ghandux jigi kkastigat.
emmanuel scicluna
Jun 29th 2011, 21:15
@Justin Caruana
il-fatt li qed tghidli li forsi jien nahseb li jien bravu, mela qed taqbel mieghi ghax ma qed nghid xejn barra minn hawn. Sens komun.
Jigifieri qed tiggustifika li jekk xi hadd isuq minghajr licenzja, minghajr insurenc, etc ma jkun qed jaghmel xejn hazin.
Bravu
emmanuel scicluna
Jun 29th 2011, 21:34
@Justin Caruana
Inserrahlek rasek li qatt ma hsibt li jien xi wiehed bravu. Pero nahseb li ftit sens komun ghandi. Nirringrazzjak tal-kompliment.
ruth klotzer
Jun 30th 2011, 09:06
"hadd minkom ma issogra hajtu?' - hajjitna kulhadd ghandu d-dritt jissugra, pero hadd m'ghandu d-dritt jissogra il hajja ta haddiehor! Jekk ghadek zghazugh u bla ghaqal, issogra hajtek wahdek ta'Qali, tkissirx familji ghall qzies ta ftit minuti.
Kullhadd irid ikun responsabli ghall azzjonitiet tieghu. Imsieken il genituri tieghu ghax ha jfaqqarom.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 30th 2011, 12:12
@Justin Catania
Ma kellekx ghalfejn tikteb daqshekk fit-tul.
Hija semplici hafna.... min jissogra jhallas.
M'hijiex kwistjoni ta' kemm ahna bravi....ghax li kieku kont int jew jien l-istess kien ihoqqilna.
Pero JIEN ma nsuqx hekk f'dik il-lokalita.... jekk int taghmilha, ma haqqekx il-licenzja.
J Thorpe
Jun 28th 2011, 19:24
All these people saying that that was not excessive speed and saying whats wrong with a young, inexperienced driver behind the wheel of a sports car take the time to think, would your comments still be the same if that was your mother that had been run over by this person? Life is short do not make it shorter drive safe.
Michelle Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 18:25
Nahseb l-ghira qeghda taghmel xi naqra taghha. Hafna mill-kummenti jimplikaw li l-akkuzat ghandu jkun ikkundannat ghax kien qed isuq karozza lussuza!
Mr ray borg
Jun 28th 2011, 18:42
Lanqas tridx tkun xaghra f'gismu bhall issa ahseb u ara kemm tista tighir ghax ghandu karozza lussuza,
ma tantx tider li int wisq ghaqlija biex tohrog b'kumment bhall dan.
Bug Agius
Jun 28th 2011, 19:28
int bis-serjeta?!
Nghir ghal xi hadd li qatel persuna ohra b'karozza 'lussuza'?
Michelle Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 21:25
@ Ray Borg
Nista' niggarantilek li jiena persuna ghaqlija hafna. Jekk int ma qrajtx il-kummenti kollha li inkitbu hawnhekk u ghalhekk forsi ma fhimtx il-punt tieghi huwa kaz differenti.
Michelle Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 21:37
@ Bug Agius
Iva, bis-serjeta kollha.
Jiena ma kontx qeghda nghid ghalik li qieghed tghir, u lanqas ghal ohrajn bhalek u bhali li altru ma jhossux ghira ghal xi hadd li wettaq zball daqshekk gravi. Imma jekk taqra l-kummenti kollha li nkitbu hawnhekk, tara li hafna nies iktar ikkummentaw u ikkundannaw il-karozza lussuza li kien qieghed isuq l-akkuzat milli ikkundannaw l-incident innifsu. Ghalija, indikazzjoni ta' ghira ghax zghazugh kellu f'idejh karozza lussuza, u donnu, minhabba f'hekk l-allegat zball tieghu huwa akbar milli kieku kien qed isuq karozza zghira u modesta. Ma hassejtux it-ton f'certa kummenti, li "mela la sinjur, ahjar ghalih!"?
Christian Gravina
Jun 29th 2011, 00:08
Ma tamilx sens tghid li tghir ghal persuna li mhix responsabbli fit-triq. Karozza lussuza kienet f'data ghand persuna allegatament irresponsabli li qas biss kellu polza ta assigurazzjoni. Li nkun jien naghmel minn kollox biex din il persuna tigi blacklisted u ma tkunx tista tigi inxurjata aktar. Malta ghandna bzonn naghmlu aktar pieni horox ghax b'hekk biss nistaw nitghallmu u nirrispettaw il-hajja umana. Ma jiswa xejn li kellu karozza lussuza ghax il-lussu, jekk jinstab hati, ha jwasslu f'ikla habs.
Gianluca Calleja
Jun 29th 2011, 00:14
ifhem ma nahsibx li Mitsubishi FTO hija xi karozza lussuza... Kieku ghidt xi VW Passat, xi BMW jew xi Mercedes kont nghidlek iwa
Kurt Mifsud
Jun 29th 2011, 00:18
Sry ta imma l-FTO mhux karozza lussuza!
R. Gauci
Jun 29th 2011, 01:56
Sinjura Buhagiar (jew sinjorina) qrajt il-kummenti tieghek u hadt l-impressjoni li int xi qariba ta' l-akkuzat, jekk le allura naghtik parir izzomm il-boghod minn pagni bhal dawn ghax zgur ma jghoddux ghalik. Donnu tak wisq gewwa dan il-kaz. Hawn kullhadd jikkummenta li jrid sakemm izomm id-dicenza, int ghid tieghek u haddiehor jaghmel l-istess.
Reuben Abela
Jun 29th 2011, 06:42
Nahsbe ghandek idea zbaljata ta x inhi karozza lussuza... vera karozza sabiha imma llum il gurnata ma saru jiswew xejn l FTO's... tista taqbad il kumment u tarmih fiz-zibel...
D. Saliba
Jun 28th 2011, 18:00
So he was doing 80kph according to testimony... and what's the speed limit on this road? 60kph perhaps? Not exactly racing speeds especially when taking into consideration it's the middle of the night and there was no traffic. It is natural for people to drive above the speed limit in road conditions like that.
I've seen people driving at 120kph and above on roads like this (including my very own road, which has a speed limit of 50kph, but because of it's straightness turns into a 1/4 mile track when there's no traffic). Now that's excessive.
Ivor Ramsden
Jun 28th 2011, 18:30
" It is natural for people to drive above the speed limit in road conditions like that. "
Does that really make it alright to do it, then?
D. Saliba
Jun 28th 2011, 18:51
Do you not take the road conditions into consideration when deciding on an adequate speed, or do you drive at the speed limit all the time, irrespective of the road surface, weather conditions, traffic, and so on?
Clearly, even if the speed limit is 50km/hr on say Tower Road, it would be rather unreasonable and dangerous to drive at that speed on a Sunday afternoon, when there is traffic and when people are jaywalking like there's no tomorrow. Likewise, it would be unreasonable and silly to drive at 50km/hr on a Tuesday morning at 4am on a completely empty road.
Ms Sandra Grech
Jun 28th 2011, 20:10
@ D Saliba: Of course 80kph is excessive!!!! It's a built up area, in other countries like the UK 20mph is the speed limit in a built up area, and that doesn't change if it's night time LOL!!!! And what about that comment about it being a luxury car,what on earth does that have to do with it, by my knowledge Mitsubishi isn't a luxury car at all. (Or maybe not for Malta with all its old banged up cars)
D. Saliba
Jun 28th 2011, 20:20
I'd love to see you driving at 20mph (30kph) on Tower Road at 4am Sandra, "LOL". You'd have to be mad.
Ms G Schembri
Jun 28th 2011, 20:57
Isn't the speed limit on that road 30kph? I know part of that road is 30Kph I'm not sure if it's that part.
Rules are there to protect us, and not for the police to hand us fines, as some people seem to think. I cannot understand how people love to brag how they love to break the law. If I decide to break a law I have to be prepared to face the consequence.
Ms G Schembri
Jun 28th 2011, 21:05
I hope you are a 16 year old and not a driver, are you refering to Tower Road Sliema? At 4.00' in the morning I've seen drunk forign students crossing that road, some people wake up an start joggin a little later than that. Accedents happen when you least expect them, and when everyone is sure it is safe to take chances. If you (or someone with your mentality) cross the same road on foot, you would do so without taking precautions since the road is empty at that time, if you are driving a car you would be speeding and bang the one crossing the road, would be meeting his/her creator, and the driver would be meeting the police - end of two lives.
Sandro Pace
Jun 28th 2011, 21:53
Limits are limits D. Saliba, and assumptions makes asses. Speed limits cannot be twisted by time of day. A resident may go out at 4am in the morning for an emergency, and he should not expect a car at 80 kph coming towards him while crossing the road. What do you tell him then? That he should not have been there.
The only mad people are those who do not observe limits, playing with people's lives due to their idiotic assumptions, and the 'it-triq vojtha, afsilha' kind of stupid mentality.
William Attard McCarthy
Jun 28th 2011, 23:04
@ D. Saliba: Well, I'd love to see you drive in the UK then; I bet your driving licence wouldn't last that long. Yes, if it says you have to drive at 20kph, well then...tough luck, cos that's the speed you'd have to drive at.
Am Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 23:43
@D. Saliba - your comments are inappropriate and insensitive. The testimony says he was doing AT LEAST 80kph with speed limit (in built up area) of, at most, 50kph. What about the other testimony . . "The car, he said, came out of nowhere and was going so fast he did not even see it. He then turned towards his wife and saw her body 30 to 40 metres up the road" Sounds like racing speeds to me. And yes its normal to adapt your speed to road conditions but you are only permitted to exceed the speed limit for a short time to enable you to over take a slower moving car. If you act on your statement . . "Likewise, it would be unreasonable and silly to drive at 50km/hr on a Tuesday morning at 4am on a completely empty (Tower) road" . . . this is likely to result in further dead pedestrians. Jaywalking is not a crime in Malta.
. Saliba
Jun 29th 2011, 10:55
I apologize if my comments came across as insensitive. In no way am I condoning this man's alleged behaviour. But please stop pointing fingers and treating the driver as if this was a premeditated murder. This could happen to you. You don't have to be 18 and stupid, nor do you need to be driving at 80km/hr, to fatally injure a pedestrian.
Ms Sandra Grech
Jun 29th 2011, 11:37
@D Saliba: Why not do 20mph on Tower Road??? It's not a motorway is it? I live in the UK and I do speeds of 100mph on the motorway. Tower Road is still a builtup area so speed limit should apply. And to date I have killed noone with my car
Charles Sammut
Jun 30th 2011, 06:31
..ermm....speed limit on this road is 35kph.
Another Malteser who is ignorant of The Maltese Highway Code. " Speed Limit in built up areas is 35kph.
Do you use your indicators Mr.Saliba,or are you a "normal" Maltese driver who is oblivious as to their existance?
..and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.......
Mr Clive Aquilina Spagnol
Jun 28th 2011, 17:53
In the recent Attard traffic fatality, my comment highlighted the lack of attention employed by motorists and pointed out that the even if the pedestrian makes a mistake, drivers should try and avoid injuries and fatalities. It doesn't make sense to keep driving over a pedestrian simply because he crossed the road away from the pedestrian crossing for example. But regrettably almost all comments from readers were directed against my line of reasoning, at times blaming pedestrians and old people for crossing the streets without undue attention. I was very sorry indeed to see how many reader drivers are wrong...the duty on the drivers still prevails in a way that a driver has to avoid as much as possible running over a pedestrian even if the latter crosses the road negligently. Let the same readers know that in UK the test for drivers is to be able to stop a car even when a toddler or an old person gets out onto the road from behind a stationary car. I would also be interested to see what those same readers have to say regarding this incident...is it also a case of old people cross the road negligently? True, innocent until proven guilty but it doesn't seem to be a difficult case to wrap up this time !!
Mr Evarist Saliba
Jun 30th 2011, 07:46
If the driver was not covered by insurance he should not have been allowed to DRIVE off the scene of the accident.
Mr Peter Barbara
Jun 28th 2011, 17:53
Have just nearly witnessed a crash right in front of my house in the street where I live at Fgura. Apparently this young driver who caused the accident was also without a licence and from what I could surmise, admitted he was at fault . Luckily no one was injured. . Wardens arrived on the scene, did their work and left.
After alot of arguing (and some swearing) with the other person this young man drove off angrily in a huff with tryres squealing, notwithstanding the fact that he had just caused an accident. I think he was complaining that the Insurance people had to be informed.
I am not the least surprised at the incident, because cars keep coming at speed down this street, honking their horns at every intersection and keep zooming on.
Moral of the story ( like in running) : It's the speed that kills you not the distance !!
James Catania
Jun 28th 2011, 17:35
18 Years Old, with a Mitsubishi FTO, without a licence and without insurance... so the court or the police don't think it's relevant where he got his FTO, and with what finances?.
Bernard Bartolo
Jun 28th 2011, 18:12
A very valid point Mr. Catania, and I guess his parents were also oblivious of the fact that he had purchased this car!!!
Michelle Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 18:36
U x'valid point!! Sure, I guess the Police really needed your comments in their investigations! Isn't it obvious that ownership of the car would be one of the first issues the Police would address?! And what kind of conspiracy theories do you wise gentlemen have come up with? Maybe you should help the Police with your bright ideas.
I suggest you keep on the look out for vacancies for detectives.
Kurt Mifsud
Jun 29th 2011, 00:18
Ahseb u ara kemm aw tfal bl-EVOs. Flus... id-daddy!
Mr Evarist Saliba
Jun 28th 2011, 17:26
A feature which crops up quite frequently in hit-and-run accidents is that the drivers are young, uninsured and without licence. A few questions are pertinent.
Who owns the cars?
Did the owners ensure that their cars (same as guns) are not used without their permission?
How many 18 year olds can afford to own a high powered car?
Do the police and the courts take the above into consideration when asessing blame?
Establishing blame is important but of no consolation to injured parties. A greater sense of discipline and responsibility must prevail, and all members of society, especially those responsible to ensure that law and order prevail, have an important role to play in this regard.
Mr Michael Debono
Jun 28th 2011, 17:34
Pltitudes just for the sake of sayng something.
Mr Evarist Saliba
Jun 29th 2011, 16:12
Since I was the victim in a case where an under-age youth took a high-powered car from his father's garage and drove straight into my car on the eve of my having to go abroad for study, I did not write my comment for the sake of saying something. The alleged behaviour of the father in providing the youth with the facility to use the car, when he was not entitled to do so, was as irresponsible as that of his son. The father's subsequent alleged behaviour confirmed this even further.
Mr Tony Gatt
Jun 28th 2011, 17:25
'He peaded not guilty'- so that's all right then
chris mcmanus
Jun 28th 2011, 17:14
i knew mrs williams she was my mum and dads neighbour a really nice lady my sympathys go out to maurice and there family rest in peace betty hope that he gets what he deserves
Sandro Pace
Jun 28th 2011, 16:58
The problem lies mainly in court sentences' leniency, and lack of deterrence. However, to catch people in the act of speeding or erratic driving, the police must be more equipped. Together with powers to conduct breathyliser tests, unhindered and in a compulsory way.
Mr Joe Anastasi
Jun 28th 2011, 16:29
Most of the comments so far comprise the usual euphoria that we get ad nauseam after every such accident.
My sympathies firstly to the family of the deceased.
Let's look at solutions by all means but let's have sensible ones. Upping the limit for a driving licence to 25 is daft. There are plenty of sensible 18 year olds, just as there are plenty of senile and dangerous 80 year olds driving. I am 65 by the way so this is not a case of another youth defending youth.
Most people need to travel to work at the age of 18. They need transport to do this. Setting the lower driving limit at 25 would create unnecessary hardship to thousands of young people.
What we need is stricter court sentences for those who abuse the system. This particular young man was driving without a driving licence and insurance, and didn't bother to stop when he knocked a person down. All that needs to be considered when sentencing.
More speed cameras, sleeping policemen - as if we need them with such bumpy roads anyway, and other such deterrants only penalise the innocent, law abiding citizen. Yes speed cameras too because nobody trusts them. If a camera is supposed to be set to a 60 kph limit, everybody reduces their speed momentarily to 40, creating a dangerous situation, simply because we all know that the only scope of speed cameras in Malta is to act as cash cows.
So what are the solutions? The first one is to copy the system used internationally for motorcyclists, and that is to limit the capacity / power of vehicles which may be used by persons under 21. Also a serious way of monitoring behaviour of young drivers, such as a good points system, or better still, they lose their licence if caught speeding or dangerous driving - but not for something like parking, because this is subjective.
Another solution in conjunction with the above would be to make it a requirement that drivers under 21 carry brightly coloured L plates on their cars, and may not carry passengers between 8pm and 6am. If they want to go to Paceville they can get a lift with someone over 21.
All the above refers only to our young drivers, but it is unfair to blame them for all accidents. I know plenty of oldies who should not be driving.
Speed alone doesn't kill. There have to be other ingredients too.
Sandro Pace
Jun 28th 2011, 16:51
While I agree with most you said, the higher the speeds on our roads, the higher the probability of 'fatal' and serious accidents. There is no escaping this physical fact. If speed in excess is one of the ingredients, it should be curbed to a reasonable and workable limit,. erring on the lower side. Maltese roads cannot be sped upon, and this have little to do with their maintenance, which is another issue.
In absence of anything else, speed cameras introduce some general sense of speed limiting with punishment, and they are not bad in themselves. In fact there should be mobile speed cameras, and without notice.
C. Vella
Jun 28th 2011, 16:53
One of the best blog posts ever. Well constructed and actually mirrors reality without the usual mob hysteria we have come to expect from a huge majority of bloggers.
Ms Maria Vella
Jun 28th 2011, 16:54
I agree with you on what you said above but action should also be taken on senile over 60s who are a liability on th road - their ability should be tested regularly and not by just having a doctor's note but by them undergoing regular examinations to show they are actually fit to drive.
As for ANY driver, irrespective of their age, if they are caught driving without a license, insurance or under any influence then they should be banned from driving for a period suitable according to the offence. Having said that regular checks should be in place that if they do not adhere to the penalty given they are caught before they can cause further damage
Mr Vince Cachia
Jun 28th 2011, 17:00
Dear Joe despite your experience SPEED is the root of, if not all, most accidents. There is a big difference when somebody is hit at say 60mph and 20mph!! Lower speeds give you time to brake.
Mr phil sam
Jun 28th 2011, 17:36
Maria, how can you ban some-one who is not legal to start with ?.
Mr Matthew Galea
Jun 28th 2011, 17:57
personally i don't have anything about speeding (no I'm not referring to 180km/h but 100-120km/h).
but someone responsible has to keep in mind that:
- you speed in an unpopulated area (late hours in populated areas does not count). for example bypasses and fly-overs.
- speeding and reckless driving are COMPLETELY different. Infact, in order to speed safely, one has to be more careful than usual because of the breaking distance and the reaction time (like someone has mentioned)
- last but not least, if you care about speed, care about braking too. Cheap braking pads and old/rusty disk brakes won't be as efficient as a decent new pair (preferably bigger than stock)
- ohh and tires. cheap unbranded tires will not perform as those with quality checks and certifications. materials vary.
here is a link from Continental Tires's Youtube Channel.
http://youtu.be/e2c9Ry0JfMw
riccardo borg
Jun 28th 2011, 20:50
Never read so much rubbish. What's wrong with the over sixties?
Does Ms. Maria Vella know that the retiring age has now gone up? What does she mean by senile?
There are still people in the world that are past ninety and are still driving. How else do you expect them to go shopping especially if they are living in large countries?
Accidents generally happen because of speed, lack of attention, and by breaking road regulations. They do not occur simply because a person is over sixty.
Daniel Gatt Baldacchino
Jun 28th 2011, 16:22
There are a few points I would like to mention, some thing which have to be learnt, and some responses to comments of others:
- 18 year olds are not the only dangerous drivers!! Old people are even more dangerous than the younger ones in many cases due to health problems such as poor vision (especially at night).
- Young drivers are not allowed to insure cars with big engines, and it is horribly expensive to insure a normal sized engine such as a 1.6. However, let us not forget that you could drive at dangerous speeds with even the slowest of cars, so engine size is not always a remedy!!
- In many other major countries (advanced countries and not third World countries), people start driving legally at the age of 16 (or at least start learning how to drive at the age of 16). These are countries which have great manners on the road.
- SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? IT SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS TO ME. I HAVE JUST MET SOME AUSTRALIAN COUSINS AND HAD A CHAT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. AMONG MANY INTERESTING ISSUES, HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY SUSPENDED HIS LICENSE FOR A YEAR FOR DOING 130KM/HR ON A 5 LANE HIGHWAY. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 100KM/HR BUT HE ACCELERATED TO OVERTAKE A TRUCK WHICH WAS THROWING STONES. HE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND HE GOT HIS LICENSE SUSPENDED, NO QUESTIONS ASKED (+ A HEFTY FINE OF AROUND 5000 AMERICAN POUNDS)!! HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF A PERSON IS CAUGHT SPINNING HIS WHEELS 3 TIMES, THE CAR IS CRUSHED AND SENT TO YOUR DOORSTEP AS A CHUNK OF METAL, NOT MATTER WHAT THE CAR, EVEN IF ITS A FERRARI OR A BENTLEY!!! SO WHAT MALTA IS LACKING IS DISCIPLINE, WHO CARES ABOUT RECKLESS DRIVING AND OVER-SPEEDING IF ALL THE CULPRITE GETS IS A 50 EURO FINE?!
- LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ACCIDENTS LIKE THIS ENHANCE THE NEED FOR A RACE TRACK. ALL THIS IS HAPPENING DUE TO CAR ENTHUSIASTS NOT HAVING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO PRACTICE THEIR HOBBY!!!
Mr julian caruana
Jun 28th 2011, 16:15
Dear Mr.Said,
could not have put it any better. very sad but true, and teh truth is the family have to carry the scar all their lives, the victim's husband, children, grandchildren, friends etc etc, For what ? just so an idiot can show off his fast car.. maybe he was late for his partime work as a waiter?? dont think so
Michelle Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 18:14
Have you thought about the scar that the accused and his family might have to endure all their lives too?
And what does your question about the "part-time work as a waiter" has to do with this issue at all?
Mario Borg
Jun 29th 2011, 00:42
@michelle No we haven't thought of that because he allegedly committed a crime and why should we care, his family should know the consequences of driving such a car with no license and insurance. some people get from life what they shove into and ultimately they have to deal with repercussions- the victims family needs compassion and seeing some of your comments here... you may need some too.
Mr C Cassar
Jun 28th 2011, 16:08
I've never seen mobile speed traps in Malta. Why is that? Places such as the Sliema promenade/Tower Road would be an ideal place for these and by the looks of it also along the Qawra/Bugibba sea fronts.
How can this guy plead not gulity to driving without a license or insurance when he had no license or insurance? Surely a not guilty plea will bring a much tougher sentence when found guilty?
In the UK, Death by Dangerous Driving (a specific offence) brings at least 10 years in jail., more if a not guilty plea at the beginning and more again if on a pedestrian crossing.
Fabia Azzopardi
Jun 28th 2011, 16:06
Laqwa li f'idejh kellu karozza qisa ajruplan. Jekk hati, aqfluh ghax mhux nies !
Michelle Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 18:22
"Mhux nies" ghax kien qed isuq karozza sabiha? U li kieku kellu bicca karrakka, naqfluh xi naqra inqas jekk jinstab hati?
Fabia Azzopardi
Jun 30th 2011, 12:40
Mhux nies ax qatt ma messu rikeb fis seat tad driver jekk, kif gie allegat, m'ghandux licenzja u insurance. Sens komun jekk ghandek.
Fabia Azzopardi
Jun 30th 2011, 12:44
naf hafna nies li ghandhom karozza sabiha u jafu igawduha bhan-nies imma dan allegatament irrovina hajtu u hajjet familja ohra
Kevin Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 15:59
I'm sorry, but driving without an insurance and a road licence is unacceptable.
On a side note... that stretch of road is very very very badly lit - authorities, please take note. It's not the first time that occurred to me to find someone crossing the road in the middle of the night and due to the bad lighting of the road I did not see that person. Touristic areas must be especially lit.
Lela Balzan
Jun 28th 2011, 15:55
Eighteen-year old driving a Mitsubishi FTO ?has he got any parents this guy?
caroline zarre
Jun 28th 2011, 17:33
his not even 18 years
Mr Alfred Dimech
Jun 28th 2011, 15:45
Move along, the victim here is not a dog.
Demis Micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 15:44
Min kien riekeb mieghu ghandu jitressaq il-qorti ukoll ghax kien fid-dmir li jaghmel rapport ta dak li kien gara. jien ma nafx kif certi nies jirnexxielhom jorqdu bil-lejl b'kuxjenza mahmuga!! Ghax li toqtol persuna u tibqa sejjer hija gravi.
Mr M Farrugia
Jun 28th 2011, 22:36
Fost l-akkuzi saq bla licenzja u bla insurance, ma naqqasx l-ispeed vicin ta zebra cross u ma waqfax. Jekk hati, il-pulizija ghanda titlob li dan ma jinghatax licenzja ghal hajtu kollha u l-magistrat jekk veru trid taghti lezzjoni ghanda tilqa din it-talba
Mr FRANS H SAID
Jun 28th 2011, 15:37
I am a frequent visitor to the said area. Excessive speed is the order of the day, any time of the day. Black exhaust is part of the idyllic scene. Excessive radio and silencers, but our police are deaf. Parking on handicapped slots, but the wardens only appear like rats and disappear again.
It is in places like these that speed cameras are required not on the Burmarrad Road. But the Local Council can earn more from Burmarrad than in high tourist areas.
But who cares. The parents do not, as otherwisde they would have hidden the car keys. Who bought such an expensive car/
Finally, do not worry, eventually he will get a suspended sentence, his driving licence (which in any case he does not possess) will be suspended for a few months, and Bob's your uncle.
Mr John Micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 15:36
Again, my most sincere condolences to the family of the victim. Very sad, particularly knowing that they are frequent visitors to Malta.
Ther ecan be no excuses. Drivers need to adapt their driving to the siatuation on the road. If it's not well lit, then extra care needs to be taken. Experience also plays an important part. Anyone who is familiar with this road knows that there are people crossign at different places, besides, it's too narrow to merit any speed above 40 kph.
Sencondly, I think that ther ehave been enough accidents to merit a legislation that limites the power of the car that younger drivers can drive. I beleive this exists in Italy, not sure about UK.
25 years ago when I was 18, the roads were different, and I can understand the frustration of today's generation having to live with the traffic situation that we have, but that's how things are today, and it certinly does not justify driving in a manner that endangers the life of others.
Perhaps I may sound cruel, but my wrath falls on the parents, somethimes buying their kids now cars even before they've turned 18!
Every day I feel I'm risking life and limb driving on our roads.
Mr Nick Grech
Jun 28th 2011, 15:35
This is one of the times were I feel ashamed of being Maltese. This is no coincidence. We live in a society were might is right and arrogance and ignorance prevails and reigns supreme. I arrived to the point were I avoid going to certain places in Malta, especially with my family.
However I blame it ALL on the upbringing. When I started driving my parents used to preach ad nauseum about driving properly and to repect to all those around me. Today I am nearly 40 and I still get the occasional preach. I will pass these value to my children.
Accidents do happen however some people just look for them. Lets hope that the justice will set the example.
My sincere condolences go to the victim's family. May she rest in peace
paula cipriott
Jun 28th 2011, 15:34
i think it's time our magistrates toughen up and give harsher sentences to people who commit crimes like this.How many more innocent people have to die.No more slaps on the hands please..
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 15:29
Condolences to the family.
Driving without a license and insurance.
Hope that if he is found guilty he gets a good time in the cooler and not just a slap on the wrist.
I also hope that he will have nightmares about the murder he has committed for it is nothing else except murder even though it was involuntarily.
Adrian Said
Jun 28th 2011, 15:22
Police, please keep eyes on the new road to xlendi. Its one of the few good surfaced roads in Gozo. No lines are yet done. I dont know what are they waiting for. This road has turned into a racing track and its becoming too dangerous.. Please take note before I see an article in the near future, in which I state, AVZAJTKOM JIEN. ( Alla hares qatt)
Simon Gatt
Jun 28th 2011, 15:29
Adrian, I completely agree with you. Last Saturday there was a big accident in that road, fortunately no one was injured.
Ms Sylvia Zammit
Jun 28th 2011, 15:37
Marco Caruana - what's stopping you? Did you turn up yourself? Very commendable if you did - otherwise, keep your peace. This is distressing enough as it is without dredging up other cases, particularly when they relate to animals. Mr.Buhagiar, the reason is probably not lack of compassion from animal lovers - just that there are so few animal lovers we feel compelled to comment. In such cases, most of us are just as shocked, but assume - wrongly it seems - that others would comment.. I know precious little about the law when it coms to traffic accidents - is there such a thing as a lifetime ban on driving? That's what this youth should get. A friend of mine in the US got such a ban when he was an alcoholic., and even though he had been sober for some 10 years, he wwas not allowed to drive until his death 2 years ago.
Mr marco caruana
Jun 28th 2011, 15:12
last week some intelligent people gathered outside the court to give a slap to a certain man who tortured Star ..... today no one turned out !!! shame on u !
Stephen Tonna
Jun 28th 2011, 15:23
x ghandu x'jaqsam
Mr marco caruana
Jun 28th 2011, 15:26
ghax ghal Malta kollox jaddi....ghalhekk ghandu x jaqsam habib !!
Mr david debattista
Jun 28th 2011, 15:42
Mr marco caruana I cannot follow you !!!!!!!
Mr J Galea
Jun 28th 2011, 16:10
Stephen Tonna ahna konvinti li kieku ittajar kelb jew qattus minflok din il-persuna umana kont tkun wiehed min ta quddien tiprotesta quddiem il-qorti.
Mr martin chetcuti
Jun 28th 2011, 16:21
@ marco caruana
Mr.Stephen Tonna is right when replying to you ''X'ghandu x'jaqsam'' as one murder was premeditated by a 44 year old man. I don't think that this hit and run was premeditated by this 18 year old
M Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 16:28
il kwistjoni hi li annimal ahjar minn bniedem? sa fej naf jin, il blog tat times faqawh in nies fuq Star....imma incident serju bhal dan..............
Mrs a cachia
Jun 28th 2011, 16:52
@Marco Caruana .... you are so right. I am very much against animal cruelty but in Malta people are mixing up their values. Agree with yu completely. I wasnt outside the court last week and I wasnt there today either. What I do know is that I will never let animals take the place of human beings. Sincere condolences to Mrs. Whilems family.
Charles Sammut
Jun 28th 2011, 15:10
If guilty, lock him up! forget about suspension of licence and suspended sentence!!
Lock him up!!!
...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....
Robert Farrug
Jun 28th 2011, 15:34
It's very easy to say so. This was an involuntary act and if he is guilty, he should pay for his negligence to abide with the road rules. I'm sure the guy is under shock and is no murderer!! Still for me zebra crossing are to be used both day and night. No excuses! Especially at certain age and in certain areas.
Am Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 16:53
Mr Farrug - Are you implying that there is no excuse for a pedestrian not to use a zebra crossing (which incidentally is not against the law) but there are lots of excuses for drivers who cause a death through their negligence (and breaking the law)?
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 30th 2011, 12:18
@Robert Farrug
You appear confused.
There was nothing 'involuntary' about allegedly running away from the scene.
M Buhagiar
Jun 28th 2011, 15:09
i just wonder why there are so many few comments abt this case in comparison with Star's case.........I fully condemn the latter case...but sometimes I get to doubt about society's priorities..........
Victor Vella
Jun 28th 2011, 14:59
Very soon we are going to have the news of a tragic accident in the Marsascala bypass, police patrols or a speed camera would help avert this, cars speeding up or down the road, and even worse during the morning rush hour cars speed up the road on the worng side of the road, even by passing the centre strip at the zabbar end of the road.But the police are more interested as to who parks on the pavement at night.And the double parking in front of shops is allowed at any time.Where are the traffic cops when they are not dishing out tickets at Marsa?
Mr Joe Frendo
Jun 28th 2011, 14:57
Speed ramps will cut the abuse of over speeding along this seafront up to Bugibba Square. How many times we saw burnouts followed by fast accelerations near the HSBC Bank in Bugibba Square. The Local Council should act immediately and place ramps at intermediate lengths all along the seafront up to Dolmen and Bugibba Square. Is it or not an Urban area? So speed should be limited and controlled.
Mr Peter Bonello
Jun 28th 2011, 15:30
ehe proset, fejn mhemmx hofor, taghmel il-hotob? bla sens gbin! jekk irridu jillimitaw l ispeed ipoggi speed camera!!
Mr Steve Attard
Jun 28th 2011, 17:17
I konw what you mean cos i live there,every few minutes you see a car speeding up from near HSBC to the zebra crossings. Thats where the next accident is going to happen, and thats where we should see the wardens , not hiding behind some trees waiting tourists to book them!!!!
John Carmel Navarro
Jun 28th 2011, 14:54
First sincere condolences to the victim’s family, how sad someone who has regularly visited our Island should come to such an end I just do not know how her husband and daughter are going to cope daily living such a horrendous serious of events. If what was said in Court is correct than hopefully for once our Courts would deal properly with this case, if the driver is found guilty than the punishment must fit the crime. To leave the scene knowing that you have taken the life of a human being is just beyond comprehension, the driver and any other person who might have been with him must face severe punishment. I do hope that our Courts do not elect to go for the usual ‘Suspended Sentence’ Imprisonment and a ban from driving for life is the least (again I repeat if found guilty) the driver deserves and must get otherwise might as well give up and let the law of the jungle take over. We must stop people driving with no doccuments.
Michael Debono
Jun 28th 2011, 15:42
That wont work,just go to ross street in st jullians on a sunday afternoon after they have had their lunch and a few drinkies and u will see grown men going crazy in there cars on the hilton roundabout with there wives and children in the car as well.Im not speaking teens here im speaking men in there 30s and 40s
Mark Busuttil
Jun 28th 2011, 14:43
Things need to change, they should introduce speed limiters on cars for young drivers, whereby cars cannot exceed a specify speed, this way accidents and fatalies in this case can be reduced..
My sincere condolences Mr.Whilems.
Suzana Bidemark
Jun 28th 2011, 15:08
well thats not possible to do, isnt it better to maybe change the age of getting the driver licence? As 25 or something where you are more grown up and responsible? I still think at the age 18 you are not responsible enough to drive a car.
And why not put up speed cameras everywhere? Cause ppl are stupid and when they see a speed camera they do slow down the speed, and why is that, cause they dont want to get a speeding fine. But thats the only thing they care of, instead of caring that maybe they can kill someone on the road??
Mary Mills
Jun 28th 2011, 15:11
A mindless 'massacre', for, to say 'traffic accident' is too sanitized in cases like this. So, why are some eighteen-year old show-offs (spoilt little brats, some might add) by allowed to have car keys??
Fabian Ellul
Jun 28th 2011, 15:14
Basta naqbdu u inparlaw fil vojt kull meta jigri xi haga! nies over 25 jahbtu u joqtlu nies daqs jew iktar min zghazagh ta taht l 25 sena! ima ovjament meta jigri xi haga hekk kulhadd jiponta subajh lejn haddiehor u tijew ma jarahx!! dan, jekk hati, zbalja bil kbir li saq karozza bla licenzja u bla insruance, u wisq iktar li saq karozza sportiva! u ta dan ghandu jehila bil kbir, imma mieghu ma ghandomx jehlu nies ohra li huma iktar responsabli minnu! u flok ma noqodu inwahlu cameras, speed limiters u xeba cuccati min dawn, imisu l gvern jisma mina darba al dejjem u jibnila dik t track li ilna iridu u b hekk ikun jista inaqas s sewqan mit triq ghax kulhadd jibda imur isuq hemm flok fit toroq!!
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 15:24
Suzana Bidemark it is possible.
Indeed the eu regulations require that such devices be installed in heavy vehicles.
Maturity does not depend on age.
Mark Busuttil
Jun 28th 2011, 15:30
@Suzana.. all cars equiped with ECUs are capable of having speed limit imposed. If the car is old, there are external units that can be installed and controlled by the authority.
@Fabian.. if you think that a track will change speeding in the streets, you are wrong.. abroad there are tracks, but over speeding accidents and fatalities are the most common type of accidents.
Suzana Bidemark
Jun 28th 2011, 15:35
ok maybe, Tony Camilleri, but can you control what car the young drivers using?? no you cant, so that isnt a good solution.
Mr mark johnson
Jun 28th 2011, 15:54
He allegedly has no licence or insurance.
Did he have permission of the owner to drive the car?
How do you legislate for alleged law breakers like this?
R. Bartolo
Jun 28th 2011, 14:43
Kollha cool u bullies, b'karozzi kbar, storbjuzi, jigru u jleqqu.
Imbaghad ma' l-ewwel sinjal ta' nkwiet, naharbu u mmorru nibku ghand il-mummy.
Mario Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 14:54
Like.
Mr John Micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 15:15
Like 2!
Deo Catania
Jun 28th 2011, 15:23
u x'ghandu x'jaqsam li qed tghid, 50MPH anke bicca Skoda tal-magna wara itellahom. Trid tara l-affarijiet sew mhux billi kulhadd ifajjar l-info. Fit-Times stess ukoll qrajna li s-sewwieq kellu 17-il sena, issa kitbu 18. ONE news qal li l-karozza nstabet ipparkjata vicin id-dar tas-sewwieq u mhux abbandunata. Bla informazzjoni korretta ma tistax tghid kif graw l-affarijiet. Jekk vera bla licenzja/insurance ovvja li hazin u kontra l-ligi pero issib hafna kazi fejn nies jaqbdu jaqsmu bl-addocc. Dil-haga li dejjem tort tal-karozza trid tinqata. Fil-kaz tat-tewmin ta' Hattard dak kaz carissimu li tort tas-sewwieq pero mhux dejjem ikun hekk. Jekk int issuq suppost taf bizzejjed certi nies kif jaqsmu.
R. Bartolo
Jun 28th 2011, 15:31
@Deo Catania.
Iwa nsuq, u ghalhekk nemmen li dejjem ghandek tkun mohhok hemm. Li ssuq karozza b'sahhitha b'velocita eccessiva, , bla licenzja u bla insurance, u mbaghad tahrab mill-accident, hi inaccetabbli.
Hu propju ghax naf kif jaqsmu n-nies li noqghod iktar attent.
Dal-kaz ifakkarni f'hafna ohrajn qablu, u juri li ma nitghallmu qatt.
Robert Farrug
Jun 28th 2011, 15:39
My like goes fully to Deo.
paula cipriott
Jun 28th 2011, 15:39
well said ......
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
Jun 28th 2011, 14:39
Something needs to be done in the area in question. The road is not well lit and although there are 2 zebra crosses in the vicinity, one of them is very deceptive for drivers. I had near accidents even though I was driving rather slowly. Then there is abusive parking and drrivers driving at excessive speeds. It will happen again if nothing is done.
Mr W Cassar
Jun 28th 2011, 14:57
Nothing will be done, just like nothing was done in other areas of the island one example the San Gwann bridge. This is Malta where road safety is a taboo word.
Dream on!
Suzana Bidemark
Jun 28th 2011, 15:16
I agree, something needs to be done, but not only here in Qawra, just take a look at the coast road..
And btw ive seen how some bus drivers, talking on mobiles or texting while driving the bus, they are risking everyones lifes and it scares me. Same with car drivers, they drinking alcohol, maybe taking some other stuff too, talking on mobile or texting.. And how fast reaction you think they have, if someone suddenly pops up on the road?? or if a car infront stands on the breaks??
well, something needs to be done as Mario says, how many more ppl needs to die before some changes will be made??!
steve loveridge
Jun 28th 2011, 14:39
I can quite believe the poor man and the witnesses as some idiots in Malta and Gozo tend to show off and speed erratically just like a madman out of jail, and now to hear the this man allegedly has no licence & insurance and to make matters worse a hit and Run failing to stop. That in my country is a very very serious offence and i know in some arab countries the death penalty is passed for such irresponsible drivers. The fact that Bugibba and Qwara is a tourist area mainly for the British this is not making a GOOD IMPRESSION FOR WOULD BE VISITERS TO MALTA, i know for a fact at least a few who just will not hire a car on the islands for the very same rerasons.
Billie Watson
Jun 28th 2011, 15:10
You know something mr. Loveridge you are absolutly right, we have been coming to Malta for the past 2 years now and we seen it many times in the Bugibba and the Qwara area, drivers just shoot straight pass us, some not even slowing down when older people are crossing,even on a zebra crossing, as if they own the road, but this kid in question is wayyyyyyyyy out ofm order and should be made an example of, cause i tell you what Mr.Loveridge we shall never ever again hire or rent a vehicle on the island as a matter of fact my wife said to me thats the last time we will be spending our days in Malta. A big shame really cause apart from a lovely sunny island, the drivers are nothing to write home about, we also visited Victoria in Gozo and its exactly the same old story over there,but with a difference, over in Gozo Motor Bikes seems to take over and the nosie on a sunday sounds more like a sherbourne tank Nasty habits.
Ray Gatt
Jun 28th 2011, 16:13
@ Mr. Loveridge and Mr. Watson -
First and foremost I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mr. Whilems and his family for this sad loss.
I do agree that some of our drivers are fast, eratic and showoffs, but the majority of the Maltese drivers abide to rules. I can honestly say that I drive both in the UK and Europe, and I've experienced such idiots even in these countries. It's a real pity you are taking out your frustrations against all the Maltese people when you decide not to come to our island anymore. Hope you both change your mind.
As for the idiot who hit and ran off, I hope he will be dealt with as he should be by our judicial system. Nothing and no one can bring the victim back, but at least justice has to be done.
Mario Micallef
Jun 28th 2011, 14:35
well, unfortunately, another one similar to Clifford Micallef's case, the only thing that remains, is the heart break and sorrow, of the loved ones that are left behind, when are we going to treat these persons as pure bred killers, and give them their due?
Mr Steve Sant
Jun 28th 2011, 14:33
They once said they were going to make the driving license attainable at 21. When I was 18 I use to curse those who were for this idea, taking the amount of incidents I was involved in at that age I fully agree (wiser now). Increase the driving age to 21, at 18 one is not mature or responsible enough. Making it impossible to insure 18-21 year olds is not a solution, it only makes it more thrilling for the teenagers to drive, cool dude's they're called.
Richard Bridge
Jun 28th 2011, 14:48
Legislation should be passed to limit the age of a driver for a particular power of car. 18yr olds shouldn't be allowed to drive anything faster than a cinquecento! Then again, you can do 50mph in a cinquecento!!
Nothing will bring back Mrs Whilems, lets hope that this driver, if guilty, feels the full weight of Justice for the horrendous thing that he has done. If I were the Judge I'd let Mr Whilems decide the sentence.
What a sad thing.
M Camilleri
Jun 28th 2011, 14:59
I'm 21, and I can honestly say that the idea of 18 year olds driving today scares me. Not to mention other countries where the driving age is 16. Although I am 21, I have been driving for only a year, because at 18 I did not feel like I was ready to face the circus that is the Maltese roads.
I can see how 18 year olds would object to the driving age being increased to 21, because it would cause more inconvenience to them and even to their families.
What is needed is for drivers to obey rules. In Malta, a majority of drivers do not even bother to indicate and park wherever they like. Also, the culture of distastefully 'pimping out' cars and testing them well past the speed limit needs to stop.
And I agree with Richard Bridge about age limiting the car one can drive.
My condolences to the woman's family.
Doris Farrugia
Jun 28th 2011, 15:25
Apart from this unfortunate,tragic accident,lately I don't know what's happening on our roads.A 10 minute journey is taking ages because of the traffic jams.Yesterday from Paola to Gudja was really chaotic.There was an accident at Tal Barrani and at the same time another one at Gudja or Tarxien road leading towards the airport and all the main traffic arteries jammed.I'm amazed how the Arriva buses are going to be on time!
Richard Bridge
Jun 28th 2011, 15:32
Well said Mr Camilleri. I also like what Mr. Busuttil said 6 quotes above mine regarding speed limiters. If 18yr olds were restricted not only to low power cars but also restricted to the top speed they could drive I think the roads would be a safer place.
For example, 50BHP and 50Kmph.
Maybe even roll out the restriction for 'new drivers' and not even base it on age? First year of driving for anyone should be in a slow, low power car.
Then again, there are a lot of old folk on the road that are just as dangerous!!
Mr Victor A
Jun 28th 2011, 14:31
such unbelievable No licence and insurance, 18 and owning such a car! how many other cars are around us without licence and insurance? why instead of installing speed cams, they invest in plate recognition so can follow up unlicenced cars first of all.
Suzana Bidemark
Jun 28th 2011, 15:31
Thats what ive been saying too, put up speed cameras everywhere!
First of all its not possible to controll everyone who sits behind the wheel, if he/she has a licence or if he/she is old enough to drive, or if he/she is drunk or on drugs. But with speed cameras you can control them to slow down, cause they will, they dont want to get caught driving, on drugs/alcohol, without license or under age!
Second of all, the age for driver licence should be min 25, thats my opinion.
I was 20 years old when i got mine and as i remember i was so scared to drive on roads, i wasnt mature enough to have such a responsibillity for other lifes!
Mr John Doneo
Jun 28th 2011, 21:31
Mr VA I agree with you. Malta is a tiny Island. All you need is three vans kitted out with NPR cameras, Put them in strategic places and you will catch the uninsured, no MOT, banned drivers. When you do catch them confiscate their cars untill they pay all fines, plus towing and storage, if they don,t make their cars into coca cola tins. In England since thery introduced these cameras a lot of cars have been scrapped and stupid drivers taken off the road.
Malcolm Felix
Jun 28th 2011, 14:30
Result of inexperience drivers! We have a lot of them! I can do mistakes too but you have to minimize the risks! I blame parents and authorities and THEN these kids! Pity for all!
Adele Mintoff
Jun 28th 2011, 14:21
18 and driving without a license and insurance!!!! How shocking!! Had the victim crossed on the zebra crossing I'm sure she would have suffered the same fate. This young man, if convicted, deserves jail and nothing less. Let's wait and see...
My sincere condolences go to the victim's family. May she rest in peace.
Patricia Farrugia
Jun 28th 2011, 14:54
P. Farrugia
If his parents knew that their son was driving without a license and insurance cover, well they are to blame as well!
Suzana Bidemark
Jun 28th 2011, 15:19
Well Patricia, i agree in some point, but the thing is you cant control your kid 24 hours a day, it is possible but i guess we all have our daily duties to be done..
Adele Mintoff
Jun 28th 2011, 20:24
@ Patricia, I have my doubts there. Wouldn't like to think so. And like Suzana said, it's difficult to control an 18yr old . I am a mother of an 18yr old and know that it's not easy to be in control of their whereabouts all the time. I honestly feel sorry for this young man's parents.
Mr Anthony Borg
Jun 28th 2011, 14:20
If this young man of 18 was "driving without a licence and insurance" it tells a lot about his character.
Nothing will bring back to life this unfortunate lady, but everyone KNOWS about the reckless and savage driving habits of many here. I will refrain from passing judgement because it is not my responsibility here. I just hope the Courts will mete out due punishment to this irresponsible person.
My sincere condolences Mr.Whilems, about your great loss.
Mr mark johnson
Jun 28th 2011, 15:51
I assume the car is in a relative's name.
If the accused is found guilty, they should be locked up as well.
Mr Manwel Debattista
Jun 28th 2011, 14:19
If the police had noticed the driver's "erratic speed ... doing at least 50mph" and then stopped him, probably Mrs. Whilems would still be alive today enjoying her holiday.
But then, WHERE ARE THE POLICE?
Michelle de Maria
Jun 28th 2011, 15:11
The police are nowhere to be seen - i have been drawing their attention to a roundabout in a residential area in Balzan which irresponsible, arrogant drivers go round wrong way just to take a "short cut". One of these days there will be a serious accident as people going round the roundabout the right way don't expect to see a car coming head on or god forbid there will be kids on a bike or a young family with a push chair and then we'll all say "ara x'gara" but do you know what - the police couldn't be bothered.