Joe Fleri Soler, Sliema
Pedestrians’ attitude at zebra crossings
Following the report concerning the controversial siting of the Floriana zebra crossing (Woman Hit By Car On New Zebra Crossing, September 16) and the letters by my friend André Zammit, I would like to comment on some pedestrians’ wrong attitude towards the use of zebra crossings (not those controlled by traffic lights).
I have no intention of joining the fray and I do not refer to this particular case. However, it has unfortunately become common practice for pedestrians to walk haphazardly straight onto the zebra crossing without looking either way for oncoming traffic.
The wrong perception of some pedestrians seems to be that zebra crossings give them the absolute right to cross the road regardless of any cars approaching at close vicinity. Regrettably, courtesy on our roads seems to be a matter of the past and people are nowadays more concerned in getting there first. As a result, there have been instances when unwitting pedestrians were knocked down on a pedestrian crossing by cars whose drivers were not held to blame by our courts.
The Transport Authority and the police should make it their business to educate and discipline the public on such malpractices.
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G G Debono
Oct 1st 2011, 15:50
A car nearly ran over my toes on the pelican crossing opposite Soppy's restaurant in Sliema .
The light was red -
I have his number - but what's the use ?
James Wightman
Oct 1st 2011, 07:24
The general idea of the highway code is to help people understand their responsibilities. Drivers should stop (and because pedestrians are out there) should be ready to stop. The law reasonably understands that drivers are not Harry Potters and cannot magically stop on a sixpence so the highway code (again reasonably) suggests that pedestrians should use due diligence and care when crossing roads.
Admittedly in Malta it is not shambling up to crossing like a sack of potatoes thats the issue, its simply that pedestrians don't look, period. Having learned not to look as a pedestrians, most drivers don't look either. So most accidents come as a complete surprise to both. Now he who is without sin may cast the first stone, BUT it must be said that it would be nice for pedestrians (and car drivers are also pedestrians unless they hover to their cars) to be able to walk about safely without risking life and limb.
G G Debono
Sep 30th 2011, 12:00
RE MR Said's comment below (Yesterday, 10:49)
"driver aware of your intention... if your head is turned to speak to somebody,....would mean that you are nor ready to cross........people should cross in a group not individually.
Again, Mr said , you are imposing on pedestrians by implying that people shouldn't turn their heads to speak to each other when they want to cross at a zebra crossing or by saying that "people should cross in a group not individually" ( Yes OK you qualify this by "as far as possible")
But what criterion do you expect pedestrians to preferably behave like sheep ??? what cheek to ask them to wait until a group forms etc....!!! is this so that so that cars do not risk having to "wait" - - sorry the road does not belong only to cars only .......
Joseph Sammut
Sep 30th 2011, 10:58
Zebra crossing without traffic lights control are there to indicate pedestrians from where they can cross a road. The lights controlled crossings dictacte to both cars and pedestrians when they can drive through or cross the road. Vehicles have precedence over pedestrians on uncontrolled crossings.
John Meli
Sep 29th 2011, 22:41
May I invite you, the Ta' Xbiex Local Council and Transport Malta so as to go and see why the three or four Zebra Crossings near the former EU Commission, and the other two (2) Zebra Crossings situated between the Black Pearl Restaurant and close to Mama Mia Restaurant (one opposite the steps or Ice Cream vendor) to Ir-Rampa Ta; Xbiex and the other opposite St. Paul's Mansion block. These have disappeared all together and they had not or never been re-painted again but six or years ago. In fact they also need lights so that at night time the pedestrians using them could be seen.
Therefore, pedestrians using these zebra crossings of these area's are at high danger risk of being hit soon. Then who ever is responsible from the local Council of Ta' Xbiex or the Transport Malta are to take action ? Whoever is responsible they should be ashamed (unless there is a reason?) or wake up before an accident happens.
Mr C Cassar
Sep 29th 2011, 18:24
speed humps should be installed at around 10m before each pedestrian and zebra crossing. It's the only way to slow down drivers at these places. No matter if a person has a foot on the crossing or not, a driver should be slowing down anyway if they see people standing at a crossing in case they step out. Simple common sense to prevent a tragedy. Unfortunately that's far too complicated for the Maltese 'driver'.
J V Psaila
Sep 29th 2011, 17:59
Why not read the regulations before writing? They clearly give right of way to the
pedestrian. To imply that car drivers can be exonerated is misleading and
a cowardly attempt to intimidate those who walk. see:
http://www.9h1mrl.org/secretary/65.11E.pdf
MOTOR VEHICLES [S.L.65.11 1 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 65.11 MOTOR VEHICLES REGULATIONS
27th September, 199489. (1) Where the carriageway is marked with parallel white
lines or studs across its width, or with any other marking to indicate
a crossing for the use of pedestrians, all vehicles approaching such
crossing shall slow down and, if necessary, shall stop, to allow any
pedestrian to use such a crossing, and they shall in no case cross the
path of any pedestrian making use of such crossing.
John Meli
Sep 29th 2011, 22:40
May I invite you, the Ta' Xbiex Local Council and Transport Malta so as to go and see why the three or four Zebra Crossings near the former EU Commission, and the other two (2) Zebra Crossings situated between the Black Pearl Restaurant and close to Mama Mia Restaurant (one opposite the steps or Ice Cream vendor) to Ir-Rampa Ta; Xbiex and the other opposite St. Paul's Mansion block. These have disappeared all together and they had not or never been re-painted again but six or years ago. In fact they also need lights so that at night time the pedestrians using them could be seen.
Therefore, pedestrians using these zebra crossings of these area's are at high danger risk of being hit soon. Then who ever is responsible from the local Council of Ta' Xbiex or the Transport Malta are to take action ? Whoever is responsible they should be ashamed (unless there is a reason?) or wake up before an accident happens.
W Knight
Sep 29th 2011, 16:03
Zebra is only one type of Pedestrian crossing. There are also Pelican, Puffin and Toucan.
Here are the reasons how crossings get their namesand how to tell the difference.
Zebra crossings are named after their stripes – and are used in many parts of the World.
The word puffin [acronym], actually comes from Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligence.
(It’s so ‘friendly’ that the buttons are right beside you!)
The word Pelican is an acronym also and actually comes from Pedestrian Light Control
(You ‘control’ the button for the ‘green man’ at the other side of the road)
The word Toucan is quite literally based on the idea that two can cross – because these are joint pedestrian and cycle crossings.
So no contradiction in terms and it also helps teach children road safety and perhaps some adults.
Wenzu Vella
Sep 29th 2011, 15:46
“Pedestrians’ attitude at zebra crossings” this is a contradiction in terms. The crossings are designed for the safety of human pedestrians and not ZEBRAS. So why call them zebra crossings.
W Knight
Sep 29th 2011, 15:01
KODIĊI GħAT-TRAFFIKU FIT-TRIQ
Tħaris għas-Saħħa tal-Pedestrians
265. Meta tavviċina POST TA' QSIM GĦALL-PEDESTRIANS kun dejjem lest biex tnaqqas il-veloċità jew tieqaf sabiex tagħti d-dritta lill-pedestrians; dejjem agħtihom id-dritta fuq dawn il-postijiet. Agħmel sinjal lix-xufiera l-oħra dwar il-ħsieb tiegħek li tnaqqas il-veloċità jew li tieqaf. Aħseb aktar kmieni biex tieqaf meta t-triq tkun imxarrba jew għan-niżla.
THE HIGHWAY CODE
Safety of Pedestrians
265. When approaching a PEDESTRIAN CROSSING always be ready to slow down or to stop so as to give way to pedestrians; give them the right of way on these crossings. Signal to other drivers your intention to slow down or to stop. Allow yourself more time to stop when the road is wet or downhill.
As in the UK the maltese highway code is backed by a number of laws which define the penalties for non observation. As the code clearly states pedestrians have the right of way.
As a very regular visitor and driver in Malta I find that Zebra crossings are often obsured by bad pariing, suffer from faded markings and at night are poorly or not illuminated.
I also get lots of comments from Malese and tourists the The Malese HighwayCode is a myth. Well it iss not and all should read it.
http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/archive/Highwaycodemalt/werrej.asp - Maltese
http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/archive/HighwaycodeEng/index.asp - English
Mr F J Brincat
Sep 29th 2011, 16:02
W Knight, don't stop there please also link to http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/archive/HighwaycodeEng/part2E.asp the part that says that pedestrians also have responsibilities to ensure their own safety and not shamble to the crossing like a sack of spuds and step onto the road with no care to the world.
Am Camilleri
Sep 29th 2011, 16:39
@ Mr F J Brincat - which of these is correct please?
37. When using any type of crossing you should: make sure that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross over . . . OR
42. Be careful when stepping on the roadway and claiming right of way at a pedestrian crossing. Wait for gaps in the traffic especially if there are a few pedestrians and the traffic has been stopped shortly before.
Its very confusing for pedestrians - do we wait like a sack of spuds or do we step into the roadway???
Pedestrians do not need insurance or licensing. Walking/wheelchairing is a basic right - as is crossing the road - and young or elderly walkers/wheelchairers may not appreciate the damage a vehicle can do to them. Those at the wheel of a motor vehicle need to appreciate and respect that.
W Knight
Sep 29th 2011, 16:48
Mr Brincat I agree 100% and as I said ALL should read the Maltese Highway Code. By inference this means ALL of the code and BOTH pedestrians and road users alike. I highlighted one issue with regard crossings as that is the subject of the lettter as one person questioned who has to give way to who. Needless to say pedestrians have to obseve thier obligations when crossing the road as well.
However many aspects of the code are transgressed to the a safety of all countless times a day. So readers should reaquaint themselves wiith sections of the code.
I have driven all over the World and Malta does not have in my opinion the worse drivers but does seem to have amongst the highest accident rates. The saving grace is most accidents are at low speed and hence the low death and serious injury rate compared to elsewhere. However individual ignorance or flouting of the law seems to be the norm and is growing. Driver and Pedestrians need educating and Police traffic units must do more to stem the tide. I have said for years police stationed at key points such as Msida Circus and the Mosta end of the Birkirkara bypass for example, at peak hours, could do lots to both improve trafiic flow and driver discipline. In addition lanes and markings need to be introduced in more places with stop signs at roundabout and other junctions.
Lane discipline and observing who has the right of way is needed or has to be enforced strongly to those who think in Malta "He who dares wins" is enshrined in road law.
Mr F J Brincat
Sep 29th 2011, 18:46
AM Camilleri: BOTH are correct! That is the point. Both drivers AND pedestrians have to excercise caution, common sense and be respectful.
Let us put it this way; would you step into the road if you were not totally sure that the oncoming, charging traffic has actually seen you and has made their intentions clear that they are going to stop to let you cross (both sides, don't take it for granted that the other charging bull is going to stop).
Knowing that I have right of way is scant consolation if I get run over.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Sep 29th 2011, 13:46
Yesterday morning Arriva Bus 140 about 0845 jumped the red lights near the Gallerija in Paola.
Mr Edwin Vella
Sep 29th 2011, 13:12
Transport Malta should be held responsable for all zebra crossings without lights. These are just death traps.
Mr Edwin Vella
Sep 29th 2011, 12:45
All zebra crossings in Bugibba are death traps since none of them has any lights at all not even yellow flashing lights. This situation persists only in Bugibba because in Slema most even have pelican lights.
Mr Peter Murray
Sep 29th 2011, 10:40
There is no legal obligation for a car to stop at a zebra crossing if a pedestrian is waiting at one to cross the road and the vehicle may only stop at the zebra crossing if safe to do so.However,a driver is obliged at law to slow down when approaching a zebra crossing and that is something that drivers do not appear to either know or acknowledge and whilst pedestrians need to be more safety conscious of the aspects of crossing the road and respecting drivers rigths also -drivers temselves must similarly associate themselves with their legal and social responsibilities when approaching or near a zebra crossing.
FRANS H SAID
Sep 29th 2011, 10:51
It depends on "priority". First of many do not bother to use the zebra crossing (or come to that light controlled crossings) but just cross the road wothoput warning. Others just rush onto the road. Even if a driver slows down, a suddem pedestrian in front of you would entail sudden braking. Pedestrians should use the road carefull and appreciate that they have to share the facility for their own safety. Even if the are 100% right, what good would it make them to be knocked down?
G G Debono
Sep 29th 2011, 12:44
Mr Said
I walk a lot, I cycle a lot, and I drive a car.
I cannot but conclude that both Mr Fleri soler's letter and your comment have a heavy bias against pedestrians (not to mention - bicycles - too)
Every time an fatal accident occurs the tendency is to blame the pedestrian and not the driver.
My experience at pdestrian crossings is quite the opposite - if it is a pelican crossing cars speed up when they see the light has changed to yellow and try to squeeze through and quite often the light is already red by the time they get across. At Zebra crossings both cars and pedestrians are well-behaved and polite - And I think it is clear that drivers like yourself and Mr Fleri soler are too convinced that the road is for cars only when in fact it is a public space for everybody.
As you will see from the comments beneath the article about introducing an urban 30 kph limit - motorists are now squealing like a child whose teddy-bear is going to be taken away when the - statistical data show dramatically how (intra-urban) speed kills.
It is time that the domination of our spaces by cars was decreased and more attention given to all road users. It is also time that drivers begin to show a bit more civility on our roads - and stop behaving like people from a third world country.
Mr Peter Murray
Sep 29th 2011, 12:55
Dear Mr.Said,
The point I am making is lack of awareness,or plain and simple commonsense, on behalf of drivers and pedestrians alike.Why not make it simpler and have a law stating drivers MUST stop at a zebra crossing when a pedestrian wishing to cross,after first slowing down when approaching one and that the pedsetrian ios made awre of not attempting to then use the crossing until cars have stopped to allow this-IN BOTH TRAFFIC DIRECTIONS/Also whatever happened to Belisha Beacon-type warning lights clearly advising drivers of the presence of a crossing-especially useful in the hours of darkness?
Mr Jan Willem van Avendonk
Sep 29th 2011, 10:29
Im not sure of this either but as far as i know zebra crossings are pedestrian PRIORITY so if you are more than aprroximately 10 metres from the zebra crossing you need to stop safely for them to cross as they have PRIORITY over the cars.
Jennifer Styevens
Sep 29th 2011, 10:16
I am sure someone will correct me on this but my understanding is if you have one foot on the zebra crossing then the vehicles should stop, which they do not only yesterday I stood on the edge of the zebra in September avenue and 5 vehicles sailed past with no intention of stopping, if wardens were stationed near some of these crossings the councils could make a bomb
FRANS H SAID
Sep 29th 2011, 10:49
The most important is that the driver would be aware of your intention. If your head is turned to speak to somebody it would mean that you are nor ready to cross. Also, as far as possible, people should cross in a group not individually.
James McIntosh
Sep 29th 2011, 09:39
But first you have to get the pedestrians to actually USE the crossing and not just cross where the see fit, in the generel area of such crossings. Pedestrians and drivers alike should exercise a little amount of consideration for others, not to mention a vast number of cyclists who also believe that the rules only apply to the other person and not themselves as individuals.
Ms Maria Vella
Sep 29th 2011, 09:15
Totally agree on the point regarding pedestrians crossing haphazardly - they seem to think they have a God given right to cross at whatever point they want - when a zebra crossing is only a few metres away and when on the crossing they just cross without bothering to look,putting drivers at risk of an uneccesary and preventable accident.
Pedestrians have a RESPONSIBILITY towards safety to everyone!
Ruby Jenner
Sep 29th 2011, 12:46
As do motorists Ms Vella. I have waited many times at a crossing and unless one actually puts a foot on it very few driver's will stop.
Mr Peter Murray
Sep 29th 2011, 12:58
Quite correct Madam Vella , but it is an equal responsibility shared with drivers to ensure everyone's safety -and that is the crux of the matter.