Too close for comfort?

Pedestrians are questioning the wisdom of moving the Ġlormu Cassar avenue pedestrian crossing closer to the roundabout in Floriana, as several complained of close shaves with vehicles that failed to spot them.

Previously, the crossing was located further up the road, meaning drivers had more time to spot pedestrians and slow down.

UK guidelines on pedestrian crossings stipulate “pedestrians must be able to see and be seen by approaching traffic”.

The current arrangement, however, means drivers have little time to react to anybody wanting to cross the road.

“Ideally zebra crossings should not be close to roundabouts and neither to corners,” former transport minister and architect Ċensu Galea said when contacted.

Mr Galea also acknowledged that since pelican lights were introduced, drivers were increasingly ignoring normal zebra crossings. He said that pelican lights could be more effective in informing the driver they had to stop.

With the location of the crossing, however, lights may cause a problem, as traffic tails could form while waiting for the lights to turn green, potentially blocking buses trying to leave the terminus from their exit.

Asked on the decision to move the crossing yesterday, a spokesman for the Transport Ministry said the issue was a technical one and within Transport Malta’s remit.