Kurt Sansone
Council kills speed on residential roads
A proposal to reduce the legal speed limit in Attard’s residential roads to 30 kilometres per hour has been approved unanimously by the council and its implementation now awaits the final stamp of the transport authority.
The motion, presented last month by Alternattiva Demokratika councillor Ralph Cassar, was seconded by Nationalist mayor Stefan Cordina and obtained cross-party support.
“We are gradually realising that roads should not be the sole domain of cars but they must also be safe for pedestrians,” Mr Cassar said when contacted.
The council has now written to Transport Malta seeking approval of the decision.
The motion also calls on the regulator to introduce traffic calming measures in four residential roads where over-speeding is encouraged by their particular design.
Asked whether he feared a backlash from motorists who will be made to drive at a slower speed than the national urban speed limit of 40 kph, Mr Cassar insisted safety was a more important consideration.
“In reality, you do not have to drive at more than 30 kph in residential roads and the council will be explaining its decision to residents in the hope of bringing about a mentality change,” he said.
The council has received complaints of over-speeding and Attard was the site of a horrific accident last year when two sisters were mowed down while crossing the road on a zebra crossing. According to Mr Cassar, the decision seeks to make streets safe for pedestrians so that parents may feel omfortable allowing their children to walk alone or use their bicycle in the locality.
The council’s decision is possibly the first of its kind to impose a 30 kph speed limit for all residential roads and follows the European Parliament’s adoption of the Koch report on road safety in September.
The report is not binding and suggests more incentives to encourage people to walk, cycle and make use of public transport.
Reducing speed limits in built-up areas is one of the proposals and is seen as a significant measure in lowering the number of fatal or near-fatal accidents.
125 Comments
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James Wightman
Nov 27th 2011, 07:10
Think its a great idea - it will only affect RESIDENTIAL roads! i.e. roads kids used to be able to play on. So do pay attention and calm down.
W Cassar
Nov 23rd 2011, 14:21
Its 30mph in the uk!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2065097/Homeowner-paints-huge-30mph-speed-limit-sign-house.html
James Wightman
Nov 27th 2011, 07:11
Actually residential UK roads are down to 20MPH in most areas. We are talking residential roads.
matthew tanti
Nov 22nd 2011, 12:59
locan councils have to stop living in their pod, thinking only of residents - perhaps because they want to garner votes? for example, attard is used by motorists from all over malta, due to its location, which has advantages and disadvatages. the local council is being egoistic and not caring about motorists whose journey is being prolonged! hopefully TM will take a more holistic view, taking into consideration the needs of motorists too. as if the girls were run over by some driving at 40 km/h!
A Camilleri
Nov 22nd 2011, 19:45
You are a pedestrian sometimes Matthew, maybe you had better keep your fingers crossed when you get out of your car and cross a road if all drivers have a pea sized brain like yours?
James Wightman
Nov 27th 2011, 07:04
This appies to residential roads only - pay attention I know its difficult for you car drivers!
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 21:17
......................................................................Paul Borg (Today, 20:03)
1 ) “Not everybody have short distances in terms of time, maybe you do but it takes me over an hour to go from Zurrieq to St. Julians”
Che centra ??? There are plenty of main (70 kph) roads between Zurrieq and St Julains !!!! These are more jammed than urban roads ?
2 ) “Most people abroad work within 1 hour travelling time to their work” and so ? I don’t get your reasoning – many of the jams in Malta are on main roads ! If there are anyway jams in built up areas then a 30 kmh limit makes no difference - you travel anyway at about 4 kmh !
3 ) “The fact that more accidents occur on weekend does not make sense as people tend to drive slower on weekends as they are less in a hurry and there is less traffic on the roads,”
What does this prove ??? That people are ‘in a hurry ‘ at weekends ore have more accidents because they are travelling faster – Thanks good point - - - so do you mean “speed kills” ?
4 ) “drivers…….effect of alcohol during weekends is much larger ……. factor of fatigue……” And so ?
5 ) ...drivers who joy-speed in urban areas exceeding legal limits should be prosecuted but not lowering speed limits for other drivers who drive responsibly.
PLEEEEZ, PLEEEZ , PLEEZ - - understand this !!! We are not talking about people driving fast but -- - - now, listen carefully - - - we are talking about this:
somebody who accidentally hits a pedestrian at the current legal speed of 50kmh have an 80% chance of killing that person,
Somebody who accidentally hits somebody at 30 kph will only kill 5% - - - So 50 kph is still too fast IN REDIDENTIAL AREAS This is the point of the suggested limit – Enforcement is another matter. At the moment is is a free-for-all , of course precisely because the law is not enforced at all !
6 ) “but us Maltese have the tendency to draw a line and just limit a whole village to 30 km/h as per Attard case.”
Where do you draw the line – how many dead pedestrians would you consider accepting as 'normal' before agreeing with a speed limit ??? one ? ten ? One hundred ? One thousand? So, you don’t think it is worth it even if it saves even just one life at one point or another ?
7 ) “ ………the reason why I don't think it is based on scientific evidence because the 50 km/h system cannot be studied yet until drivers start to follow it.
So data based on analysis of 85,000 accidents is not scientific ? U ejja !
Alfred Fenech
Nov 22nd 2011, 08:50
What ever happened to the legal speed limits that the Police once had.!!! Now its councils, wardens ....
Paul Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 11:14
With your reasoning why don't we ban cars once and for all? The percentage you are quoting will go down to zero and we will have healthier lives as well due to significantly reduced emissions!
This is not about removing risks but about minimising risk without causing considerable inconvenience to other as well. With your reasoning we should remove everything, cars, planes, etc... and revert to primitive ways!
If pedestrians walk on pavements, nobody will be hit, neither with 30 kmh nor with 50 kmh! Pedestrians need to take part in this and be more attentive. We shouldn't see a pedestrian crossing the road from corners or 300 m away from a zebra crossing / lights because they are so lazy and want to avoid walking!
In the case of the twins, if the authorities had invested in a pedestrian bridge or tunnel instead of a camera, the deaths wouldn't have occured...but no...cameras are money making machines so we prefer to use those! Who do you blame in that accident? I blame both the driver and the pedestrians but my larger portion of blame would go to the twins as they shouldn't have crossed a bypass like that espescially at night!
Mr. Debono, I suggest that you start talking from your mouth not from your butt!
G G Debono
Nov 22nd 2011, 13:43
To Paul Borg ( Today, 11:14)
RE "..Mr. Debono, I suggest that you start talking from your mouth not from your butt!..."
Thank you Mr Borg - that remark is what what is called 'verbal violence ' and it is used when somebody has run out of answers.
So now you have shown your true colours. I hope you don't drive as you talk .....if you do then I'll be very worried for my grandchildren on the pavement. - - - And for my grandson who got a bicycle last christmas - - - - maybe I shouldn't let him ride knowing that there are people around who cannot accept to drive slowly/carefully in built-up areas are on our roads.....
End of debate ---------------- . and thanks for the compliment !
Thank you for
Paul Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 12:49
Mr. Debono
Let's say I was a bit arrogant...and shouldn't have! My apologies for that!
I can assure you that I drive very carefully and I am neither a joy-racer nor a slow-coach on our roads as both of these cause lots of accidents on our roads. In fact I drive carefully probably much more than you think and always within legal limits! Looking at my speedometer yesterday on urban roads I was doing around 40 km/h which is very reasonable but I don't think there is the need to go slower which I am aware you are not going to agree. You shouldn't be too worried on your grandchildren on the pavement but you have to teach them to be careful when going out of it's boundaries to cross a street/junction etc...regarding your grandson riding his bike, I don't want to judge you but in my opinion anybody who leaves children riding bikes on our roads is mad. This is not 1960s anymore, when seeing a vehicle on the road was rare, so you should take him Ta Qali or a Park, make sure he wears protective equipment (helmet, etc...) and let him ride the bike over there.
It is very clear that we are never going to agree on this point so I respect your opinion but Ii still have mine.
Have a nice day!
Joe Mallia
Nov 21st 2011, 20:47
Thumbs up to the council for this decision. Next move is enforcement. Although speed limits apply to some of the roads, drivers simply ignore without getting any fines. Road users need to get the benefit out of this decision through enforcement otherwise this will end up a paper based exercise.
Joe Mallia
Nov 21st 2011, 20:40
Good move by the local council. Overspeeding in residential areas is a common practice in Attard. Next move is the application of this decision. Currently speed limits apply on some of the residential roads but most drivers simply ignore without getting any fines Unless driving regulations are enforced, overspeeding will continue.
MARIA BORG
Nov 21st 2011, 20:31
SIMPLY RIDICULOUS OR RATHER A DUMB AND DUMBER DECISION
Daria Frendo
Nov 21st 2011, 20:29
This should be tackled in an even more holistic approach than this! We should not be so narrow minded!
Reducing the speed limit to 30km/h is a fabulous idea, as it will definitely save lives!!! But why are we limiting ourselves so much? For instance, we can look at this also as being an incentive to reduce traffic, because people will avoid roads in which they are fined often. So up to now this will save lives... reduce traffic... noise and why not probably even pollution!! But again, i think we are still limiting our horizons... coz we could actually even reduce everything further by setting up large holes strategically positioned in roads in attard... so drivers will be trying to avoid them and that way they will def go slower!
We could also maybe just increase fuel costs from attard petrol stations... although people could cheat and buy fuel from somewhere else... so this will not be that effective. On to other effective measures... we could ban cars and get people to just use bicycles in attard! Ohh wait... but a bike will go over 30 too.. so trash my last comment... i think the speed limit should be set to 15km/h ... this will ensure that you won't be run over by super fit trained runners who would easily run at 15km/h! (And if you don't believe this go to any gym and watch the trained runners really run!)
To further reduce risks though, more measures are required, we can add nails in the roads... to burst tires of stupid people who use cars and bikes! BUT the best option for me would be to make all of attard a pedestrian zone! This will save lives for sure... unless u need an ambulance to go through in which case it's ur prob.. u xud not have been living in attard!
It is a good sign that the LC is setting such measures to ensure safety on our roads... but if this was triggered following the accident of the 2 twins... the person who hit them had already broken the speed limit... and the camera flashed.. but did it stop him?? Nope the camera flash did not hypnotize him - as it was meant to (as not everyone reacts to it the same and so..) it didn't stop him. The 50km/h speed limit did not save or reduce anything in that case, neither would a 40 one and neither would a 30km/h one have done the trick! But a couple of my measures... would have... def!!! Or else, an even more effective, although slightly.. and i'm going to dare say this.. slightly extreme measure... maybe we could have a speed camera with a couple of shot guns which will shoot at all 4 of the tires if you are exceeding the speed limit! That will stop drivers acting crazy!
we're all full of creative ideas such as these and if you'd like... I would provide consultancy like most people commenting on these posts.. but for EFFECTIVE SAFETY MEASURES instead of just money making ones!!
Drivers who take lives will not be stopped by lowering speed limits and giving fines!! Come on.. WE need EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS!!!!
V Mercieca
Nov 21st 2011, 19:45
I too think that those taking the decision are not drivers.
A 40km/h perhaps is more reasonable without having to shift to low gears and increase the pollution in the air.
Jaraw sal-ponta ta' mniherhom biss.
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 20:35
1 ) How many people you know are "not drivers" ?
2 ) How many sensible considerate drivers do you know. ?
Answers
1) Few or none 2) most if not all.
QED
George Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 19:39
Well done Attard's council. All other councils in Malta and Gozo should copy you. Just remember we have very short distances in Malta. Fines should be heavy for breaking the speed limit.
Cedric Mamo
Nov 21st 2011, 19:29
i suggest everyone commenting here should also say whether they are a driver or not... i think all those who say a 30km/h speed is reasonable have never sat on the driver's seat of a car. 30km/h is just barely driving a car on 2nd gear...
Mr C Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 20:25
AGREE COMPLETELY ! U tal-Arriva 30KPH ukoll ? HAHAHA mela on time se naslu kollha !
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 20:36
Cedric
I drive and we have two cars -
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani
Nov 22nd 2011, 14:03
Tal-ARRIVA gas mal-pjanca anki jidhlu fejn ikun hemm skejjel u bil-permess tal-Kunsill (bhal ta' H'Attard per ezempju). Aghar minn hekk, H'Attard karozzi ma jitghux jidhlu niezlin l-isfel imma jistghu jitilghu l'fuq. Eccezzjoni ghall-ARRIVA li jistghu jitilghu u jinzlu. DAN waqt hin li johorgu t-tfal tal-iskola.
J. J. Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 19:28
Here in the U.S. most residential roads have a maximum speed of between 25 and 30 miles per hour. If you drive in front of a school speeds are usually set at 20 miles per hour. This in a country where most residential roads are wider than main roads in Malta and have fewer pedestrians. So yes, I think that in a place like Attard it is not excessive to restrict cars to 30 km/hr.
Wilfred Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 19:26
30 kph? What next, asking drivers to push their cars through Attard streets? This council is obviously out of touch with reality or is looking to extort money out of drivers!
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 20:38
Good idea Wilf !
Hope you have a big fat car !!!!
Mario Vassallo
Nov 21st 2011, 19:02
Many people are not fully aware of the speed limits on UK roads, particularly the limits for larger vehicles and those towing trailers. If you want to avoid getting a speeding fine or to ensure you don't get caught by a speed camera, it is important to know the speed limit for the vehicle you are driving on the road you are driving on.
The National Speed Limit for cars on UK roads is 60mph on single carriageway roads and 70mph on dual carriageways. Some people get confused and think the national speed limit is 30mph. What the national speed limit means is the top speed that is allowed on any road in this country. 30mph is the normal speed limit in a built up area where there are no other signs. A built up area is usually understood to be an area where street lights are less than 200 metres apart.
The speed limit in a built up area may be lower than 30mph - for instance near a school. If the limit is 20mph or less, then there should be signs to indicate this and there should be some form of traffic calming measures
Emmanuel Ebejer
Nov 21st 2011, 18:29
So now people will be fined for overspeeding...with their bicycle!!
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 18:47
Ha HA
I can barely do 15kph on a bike !
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 17:52
Mr Stephen Zammit and all the others who are objecting are applying the wrong argument. (An urban speed limit is NOT the "Wrong solution to a simple problem."
The question here is not one particular accident which occurred - but accidents in general
Let me repeat: statistics show beyond any doubt that a 30 kph limit saves lives - it's as simple as that.
As it is we have a half dozen or so pedestrian/child deaths per year in our built-up areas. Do all those who are objecting to more civilized driving accept these deaths as inevitable ? If so WHY ? and HOW ?
Given the size of the Malta and the short distances travelled this figure is far too high.
More evidence:
The effect of the introduction of 20 mph (=30 km/h) traffic speed zones on road collisions, injuries, and deaths in London. In the 20 mph (ie 30 kph ) zones there was a 40% reduction in casualties and collisions over a 10 year period (ie the reduction was not a coincidence) .
More evidence:
Just a 5% increase in average speed was found to result in a 10% increase in crashes that caused injury and a 20% increase in fatal crashes. The risks of increased speed were much greater for pedestrians, who (as has been repeated over and over again) have an 80% risk of being killed at a collision speed of 50 km an hour. Of course the car occupants survive because they are wearing a safety belt.
These are the findings of extensive surveys by highly professional scientific epidemeologists. They are irrefutable. And yet people continue to object.
All the objections are plain crazy - - Even if it this saves one life a year a speed limit in residential areas is fully justified.
Yet everybody is in denial (except the Attard council – thank goodness)
Let us hope other councils will be encouraged to follow !
.
Wilfred Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 19:28
Actually 15 kph or slower saves even more lives! The question is;, when is lowering speed to a crawl impractical?
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 20:41
Oh geez
30 kmh id not a crawl - try running at 30kmh.
S Cachia
Nov 21st 2011, 17:48
lots of regulations and laws are being discussed and implemented against us drivers with the farcical excuse of "pedestrian safety". The first and foremost thing they have to do is to educate and see that the pedestrians use the pavements. The governmnet build pavements in almost all roads and streets but they are rarely used... instead the pedestrians use the streets, and that's what makes them dangerous.... so please... do us all a favour and stop this crap about the drivers
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 18:02
Re educate and see that the pedestrians use the pavements
1 ) our pavements are mostly NARROW.
2) Don't blame pedestrians - blame bad road design which endangers pedestrian even more
Paul Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 17:44
These are the speed limits in the EU:
Built-up Areas Outside Built-up Areas Motorways
Austria 50 100 130
Belgium 50 90 or 120 120
Cyprus 50 80 100
C Republic 50 90 130
Germany 50 100 unlimited
Denmark 50 80 110
Spain 50 90 or 100 120
Estonia 50 90 or 100 n/a
France 50 90 or 110 130
Finland 50 80 or 100 120
UK 48 96 or 112 112
Greece 50 90 or 110 120
Hungary 50 90 or 110 130
Italy 50 90 or 110 130
Ireland (**) 50 80/100 120
Luxembourg 50 90 130
Lithuania 50 90 or 100 n/a
Latvia 50 90 or 100 110 or 130
Netherlands 50 80 or 100 120
Poland 60 90 130
Portugal 50 90 or 100 120
Sweden 50 70 110
Slovakia 60 90 130
Slovenia 50 90 or 100 130
Why does Malta has to be so different? Motorway speed limits are not applicable to Malta as we don't have any. Speed limits of Outside built-up areas (that is our bypasses) in Malta is 80 km/h but there is no bypass left which operates on this national speed limit. In Europe this varies between an average of 88 km/h and 96 km/h, but due to our condition of the surface of our roads and our high gradient curves I think our national speed limit of 80 km/h is reasonable, the only problem as I said above is that they are leaving no roads on this speed. Regarding speeds in built-up areas, why do we have to be so different from Europe? Generally, roads in a village, town or city in europe are similar to those in our villages and towns so I don't see the point.
I can see the point that the council is trying to do something different because more accidents happen in Malta than Europe, but what all the councils should do is leave our speed limits similar to the EU standards and start enforcing that speed. Most of the accidents happen because the vehicles involved would be exceeding 50km/h and nobody stops them! If we put our speed limit down to 10 km/h and maintain our enforcing standards, nothing will change because vehicles are and will still drive at 60 km/hr, 70 km/hr, 80 km/hr etc...
We have to change our culture about the driving speeds. We should observe speed limits not because we get a fine but due to the safety of ourselves and other people! There is no point in putting speed cameras in Mriehel by pass, Birkirkara Bypass, Zebbug Bypass, Zejtun Bypass etc... Our speed cameras should be put in built up areas near schools, town centres and elderly homes. For the past couple of years in the UK they have decreased (nearly removed) speed cameras from Motorways and Highways and put them in built-up areas because the scope of these cameras is not revenue but SAFETY! On the contrary our cameras are all in bypasses. The only camera which makes half sense in Malta is the one in Attard itself as you pass this camera exactly after exiting the bypass and entering the village of attard. The same camera does not make sense coming the other way as exiting the village of Attard and entering the bypass the speed of the cars is bound to start increasing. The camera on that side should be put when you enter the village of attard from Rabat area, somewhere close to the new petrol station.
Why doesn't the authorities realise the mess they are doing?
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 18:00
Re Why does Malta has to be so different?
1 ) Malta is different - we have only piddly short travelling distances and we don't need speed. More accidents occur at weekends suggesting that joy-speeding rather than saving time is the important factor.
2) Though speed limits are said to be 50 - there are lots of 30 kmh limit signs in European towns
3 ) A more generalised urban 30 kph limit to replace the 50 kph is being proposed on the basis of scientific evidence .
4 ) There was no problem earlier - - as cars were less powerful and driving speeds slower - the problem has intensified over the last 2 - 3 decades and increasing deaths among pedestrians and children cannot be ignored
Ms Sandra Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 18:09
Where did you get the UK speed limits from? In the Uk in buiitup areas speed limit is 20miles/hour, outside builtup areas 50miles/hour and national UK speed limit (motorway) is 70 miles/hour.
Paul Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 19:30
Ms. Sandra Grech
You can check them on the link below (UK Gov website):
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Roadsafetyadvice/DG_178867?CID=TAT&PLA=url_mon&CRE=speed_limits
Paul Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 20:03
Mr Debono
1) I totaly agree that Malta is different, because we are the only country from the western developed EU countries where a driver can accelerate to 70 km/hr easily on an urban road without anybody warning him. Not everybody have short distances in terms of time, maybe you do but it takes me over an hour to go from Zurrieq to St. Julians to work every morning. Most people abroad work within 1 hour travelling time to their work so the fact that the mainland is much larger doesn't mean that they have to cross-country to go to their work. The fact that more accidents occur on weekend does not make sense as people tend to drive slower on weekends as they are less in a hurry and there is less traffic on the roads, but having said that you have to consider that the probability that drivers are under the effect of alcohol during weekends is much larger and there is also a factor of fatigue (many people drive later in the nights and are more tired after a week of work). Regarding joy-speeding, I have no problems as long as it is responsible and within legal limits...drivers who joy-speed in urban areas exceeding legal limits should be prosecuted but not lowering speed limits for other drivers who drive responsibly.
2) I agree with point 2 but the 30kmh limits are found near schools and in the very core of towns. I think this should be done in Malta as well but us Maltese have the tendency to draw a line and just limit a whole village to 30 km/h as per Attard case. Where 30 km/h is a limit due to justified safety precautions (such as close to a school) I agree but not drawing a line for all the urban roads of a village.
3) Before studying the current system they need to enforce it first. There is no point studying the current system of 50 kmh and building statistics of the current system, if more than 50% of the cars are faster. My point here is that first we have to enforce the 50 km/h system, study it and than from the studies and statistics itself if there are roads where 30 km/h limit is needed, yes by all means we change it. That is the reason why I don't think that this is being based on scientific evidence because the 50 km/h system cannot be studied yet until drivers start to follow it.
4) For Christ's sake, we are talking about urban limits here not motorway limits. I can assure you that any car from 1970 onwards was capable of doing 50 km/h, that is 30 mph.
I once again agree that increasing deaths amongst pedestrians and children cannot be ignored but once again I insist that we enforce our current limits before we can judge them and decide whether we need to alter them. Most probably we find out that there's no need at all!
Ms Sandra Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 20:05
Mr Paul Borg,
Don't need to check them the speed limits are the ones I said since I've lived in the Uk for 8 years and since my job involved lots of driving, was also highly trained in driving there. The point is that the speed limit in Attard is what you'd expect in the UK for a builtup area and noone there moans about it.
Paul Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 20:19
Ms Sandra Grech
The fact that you lived in the UK does not mean that you know the regulations in fact I challange you that you don't. The NATIONAL SPEED LIMITS is what we are talking about here. Even I have lived in the UK and I know what I am saying. I publicly challange you to support your 20 mph in built-up areas and 50 mph in Outside built-up areas by means of any official website. I don't need to prove myself as I have already done above!
Ms Sandra Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 20:51
@Paul Borg: Of course I know the regulations, I had to because of my job and would have got points on my licence and lost my job if I didn't ! There is only one National speed limit, which is 70miles per hour on the motorway, and if you go to any town/village in the Uk it is 20miles per hour, you just need to go there and look at the signs, and everyone goes at that speed in a village/town. As soon as you leave the town, it becomes 30miles and then just outside the built up area it then becomes 50. Motorway is 70 miles per hour, and that is called the National speed limit.
Paul Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 11:45
Once again you did not support your argument with factual evidence...ie: argument lost and I will stop here on this!
Marvin Mizzi
Nov 21st 2011, 17:21
It is just becoming farcical. Why don't we see who is breaking the laws and stop them... In certain occassions it could be the pedestrian crossing without looking at ongoing traffic or the driver....... but this doesn't mean putting up these ridiculious speed limits!! Law enforcement please no ridiculious decisions please
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 18:52
RE "Why don't we see who is breaking the laws and stop them.."
It is not a question of law
Somebody within the who accidentally hits a pedestrian at the current legal speed of 50kmh has an 80% chance of killing that person, but this is only 5% at 30 kph !
That's the point of the suggested limit - enforcement is another matter. At the moment is is a free-for-all , of course precisely because the law is not enforced at all !
Wilfred Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 19:33
@ G G Sebono
So if it is only 5% at 30 kph, why not bring it down to 5 kph and that way we get it down to 0.009%? Sometimes, the ridiculous seems practical but in reality, it isn't. 30 kph will increase traffic congestion and pollution as a result and raise drivers' temperature and rage which could end up causing more traffic accidents than it reduces.
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 21:21
Re "why not bring it down to 5 kph and that way we get it down to 0.009%? "
Great idea wilfred
and how about a guy waving a flag in front of the car ?/
OOOOHH that would be absolutely erm --- divine !!
John Said
Nov 21st 2011, 16:48
It’s not the speed that kills, but the incompetence of some drivers, the selfishness and the fact that some people are scared to drive. We complain about traffic, and yet everything we do is to increase it. We need to find the way to make sure traffic moves at a faster pace, especially in main roads not reduce it. This only causes stress on those who are driving, especially for long hours every day. Yes roads are made for cars and not pedestrians’, if you want to leave your children running around take them to Ta’Qali or Buskett.
Euro 5 Diesel cars, which are amongst the most environmental friendly cars around, have a device called Diesel Particulate filter, which is there to reduce that black dust we see coming out from older diesel cars, well these cars have to travel at not less than 50KM an hour in order to work properly and not cause engine damage, and this filter costs not less than a thousand euro to be replaced and even more! Will the Attard council contribute to the replacement costs?
One thing is for sure, Attard is on my way home from work, and I normally stop there to run my errands, well I am sorry for the Attard shop owners, but they will definitely loose me and many other motorists amongst their clients as I will not risk getting fined for driving at normal speeds instead of dead moving vehicles. I will find an alternative way.
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 16:28
To………………………..Kevin Camilleri (Today, 14:12 - - - )
Kevin you are nit-picking ! Nobody expects you to drive at EXACTLY 30 kpH… and any motorist can judge that his speed is at about 30 kph or under.
As to “ cars from the UK - with Mile speedos - - 30 kph = 20 mph - - - easy . (the UK is recommending a 20 kmh limit too)
RE . 30kmph means driving on 2nd gear because if you put a normal car on third gear the engine will start to rattle!
A 30 kph means driving with a very light foot on the accelerator pedal and driving evenly. As it is most people drive far more wastefully (and pollute more) with violent acceleration and stops and starts.
There’s no problem on main roads so nobody will be held up.
Somebody once killed my dog in Swieqi (my dog just went about 2 feet into the road and a passing car killed him instantly. That car would not have killed my dog if it was travelling at 30 kph because the driver would have had a chance to stop or slow down (and he didn’t stop at all.) - -
Now - That could have been a child. With our universally narrow pavements it happens very often that kids stray a little bit into the road.
C. Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 17:52
The discussion is between 40km/h and 30km/h and not those who overspeed. Driving at 30km/h is harder and in my opinion more prone to accidents as your are more intent on the speedometer than the road. The chances that you hit somebody at 40km/h is still extremely low. The accidents that happened all had really high speed or other circumstances that whatever law they would nonetheless still have occurred.
As regards the "Nobody expects you to drive at EXACTLY 30 kpH" go and tell that to the speed camera contractors or the wardens. This speed limit has two aims namely political PR and cash.
Stephen Zammit
Nov 21st 2011, 16:15
Wrong solution to a simple problem. If accidents happened at 40kph then the councilors would be right to lower the bar down to 30kph. But accidents happened at speeds of over 40kph so lowering the bar is completely irrelevant to the accidents problem. Finding ways to enforce the 40kph problem should have been the goal of their exercise. Who was driving at 100kph was breaking the 40kph law already, and the councilors couldn't do much about it just like they cannot do much after imposing the 30kph limit. 30kph will help reduce the responsible traffic through Attard which is something the councilors might also want. Granted, but not much else. A more effective solution could be the installation of more speed bumps, traffic lights, central strips, curves in the roads and other traffic slowing apparatus, that would help reduce driving speeds and are way cheaper and more effective then speed cameras or wardens. But again, I seriously doubt any councilor would want to tax his constituents with fines, so this might just be an attempt at telling us they're doing something about it when infact they're doing nothing at all accept talking and signing papers of course.
c Micallef
Nov 21st 2011, 16:12
Soon it will be a crime to drive. Maltese 'pedestrian' roads are soon going to be void of vehicles which will be replaced by horses and donkeys. Hopefully the latter dont speed over 30 and no one will get hurt.
C. Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 16:12
I guess that in the next council elections I will save myself the 30km/h drive to the polling booth as i will not vote for any of these useless "representatives". Did they even consider the environmental impact of such a decision? Did they consider the added traffic that such a measure will bring about? The 40km/h limit was decent - 30km/h for some drivers is 20km/h or less.
How will they enforce such a regulation. More cameras which as we know are only useful as a get rich scheme by the council and private contractor alike. Will we have more wardens roaming the streets or hiding behind walls who indiscriminately issue fines via the post regardless or not if you passed by them or not that day? If the new traffic citation laws are passed as recently hinted by the minister the residents of Attard will soon paying some really hefty fines. All thanks to a council that wants to impress rather than tackle the real problems of Attard.
Mr John Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 16:01
My car wouldn't even get out of 1st gear, but after all we want a greener Malta
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 21st 2011, 16:01
SO it will be a pedestrian zone!! Will the local council consider my idea to organise a car free day all year round. Why do we pay the car licence? JAQAW IN-NIES TA` H`ATTARD JAHSBU LI HUMA XI HAGA AHJAR MIN-NIES KOLLHA TA` MALTA? And if all the councils were to follow their example, what will happen in Malta? Driving through marsa every morning, you have to drive at 10km p h for a long time!
Anne Marie Sant
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:18
le Sur Caruana ma nahsbux li ahna ta hattard ahjar mil bqija ta malta. Grazzi.
Residenta ta hattard li mux ha ssuq b30kmh
Joseph Brincat
Nov 21st 2011, 15:33
IF EVERY COUNCIL IMPLEMENT THE 30 KILOMETERS PER HOUR,
I WISH TO KNOW , > FROM CIRKEWWA TO BIRZEBBUGIA HOW
MUCH TIME IT WILL TAKE ME TO GO TO WORK BY ARRIVA ??????
Mr AARON MUSCAT
Nov 21st 2011, 15:30
Driving slow speeds = more pollution and more traffic. Example of this is the university bypass. When I passed my driving exam 5 years ago I learned that main roads max speed is of 80km/h and then they decided to do a 60km/h sign ! This country is ridiculous.
Mr Adrian Zahra
Nov 21st 2011, 15:17
Driving at 30km/h . Does anyone have an idea of what that means in terms of Pollution overhead. Any other comment is superfluous.
S. Zammit
Nov 21st 2011, 15:32
Mela suq rih u tajjar lil xi hadd. Any other comment is superfluous!
Mr Kevin Agius
Nov 21st 2011, 15:15
Before we go suggesting and implementing these ridiculous speed limits why dont we implement and pass a law against Jay walking ?? Where pedestrians need to be accountable and held liable for accidents caused by crossing the road whenever they feel like leaving the sidewalk ? Or worse still walking down the middle of a road two across having a chat ??
30mph ?? dont make me laugh !
Tony Sciberras
Nov 21st 2011, 15:00
Boycot Attard
j brincat
Nov 21st 2011, 14:59
"The motion, presented last month by Alternattiva Demokratika councillor Ralph Cassar, was seconded by Nationalist mayor Stefan Cordina and obtained cross-party support"
Is this the way that AD are trying to impress?
(jb).
j brincat
Nov 21st 2011, 14:58
We are being ridiculous, no?
Why don't the authorities that be put a doubt 'no entry' signs so that NO traffic passes through Attard?
Is it the case that some localities are more privileged than others?
Wake up and smell the coffee!
(jb)
R. Caruana
Nov 21st 2011, 14:58
And the War on Drivers rages on!
C Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 14:46
Why is it that we go from one extreme to another. il Malti jghid, jew nejja jew mahruqa.
The best one yet is a sign which would at least take you a whole minute to read while you are suppose to be driving. This is the sign near M4 supermarket going towards the BOV branch. So one would either risk stopping to read the sign and obviously stopping traffic behind or else drive on and find the warden ready to give you a ticket. It would really have made more sense if the warden is instead of the sign and tell drivers that there are times when one is not allowed to use that street at all.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Nov 21st 2011, 14:44
Defenitely it would be CRAZY for any driver to navigate at over 30 km/hr, most of the inner Core óne-way'streets,which are so narrow. Hopefully this UNDER 20 MILES PER HOUR sanction will NOT apply to all the ATTARD Streets , be they residential or not .
Travelling from Triq il-Pitkali to Mdina Road @30 km, a distance of 1.7 km , including stoppage time at zebra crossings ,traffic lights and bottlenecks ,would take at least 10/12 minutes, travel reduced to 10km/hr ! By any chance,do ARRIVA BUSES pass thro' these streets ? Besides, Low gear driving results in more emissions!
Joseph N. Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 14:37
I agree...and then I don't. Yes, some roads demand a 30kph speed limit for safety. Contrary to what one contributor wrote, one such road is Pitkali Street. Always full of cars seeking parking, others leaving parking slots, others emerging from side streets, not to mention the meyhem created by vans and trucks Pitkali bound. Slow is the word here. Most other residential streets in Misrah Kola would also benefit from this speed limit. Here, cars exiting from driveins face continuous hazards from fast moving traffic. Other roads, such as Old Railway and Victor Vassallo, could sustain a 50 kph limit. But the big question is, after they infest Attard with 30kph red and white disks, who and what is going to enforce the limit? Wardens cannot, unless equipped with hand held speed guns. I know of a traffic accident where the driver of a car driving at 70kph next to a 30 kph sign was not even ticketed when he hit a car slowly emerging from a side street. Insurances tell you that magistrates automatically blame the latter in similar incidents, and they do not take the speed of the 'innocent' car into account. Go figure.
George Azzopardi
Nov 21st 2011, 14:33
Mr.Cassar .. what about a law for the pedestrian? Why shouldn't as drivers feel safe that pedestrians also behave properly when crossing roads and walking down the pavements etc.
I guess it would be better have Attard as no car zone that to introduce such stupid regulations!
Ms Maria Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 14:19
This is ridiuclous - just because an idiot caused a terrible accident, does it mean that others have to suffer? have traffic management experts been roped in to give their opinion or is it just a case of the council trying to look good in the eyes of Attard residents?
Have they considered the amount of emissions being increased because of this?
Karl Abela
Nov 21st 2011, 14:06
May I ask if Ralph Cassar is a traffic management expert? If not, then why on earth was he allowed to propose such a measure? For popularity? Who will pay the price for this? Only the attard residents because they will need to put up with more exhaust pollution and increased fuel consumption because this is a second gear speed.
To ensure safety and avoid accidents, pedestrians should be obliged to observe the road code of conduct. Notwithstanding the terrible accident of the twins who crossed on the zebra crossing, most other accidents take place because of pedestrians crossing the road where and when they feel like it. Such pedestrians should be penalised with traffic fines.
The other fatal accident of the two girls at the Mriehel by pass also comes to mind. Granted, the driver was over the speed limit by a few kmh but this does not excuse the poor girls (God bless their soul) from illegally crossing a bypass in the middle of the night. Had the driver been driving at the speed limit of 70kmh they would still have been killed.
Michael Owen
Nov 21st 2011, 14:05
I see the brake repair shops doing a lot of extra business if this law is passed. My car will only do 30kph in 1st gear at tick over revs. Either I have to drive in 1st gear or keep my foot on the brake to maintain the speed limit.
Mr robert micallef
Nov 21st 2011, 15:20
IfU had to check your average speed after a day of driving it would be around 25 km/hr. so ur not going to miss much
Cedric Mamo
Nov 21st 2011, 19:09
average speed right now (i check it every day) is 35... it goes down to 35 because of constantly having to stop. Now imagine if you're driving at 30 (already lower than the current average) and you still have to constantly stop (even more than before most probably)... that would give you an average speed of about 15 ;)
Mr robert micallef
Nov 21st 2011, 20:17
cedric ofcourse average speed varies from driver to driver and of course where and what time u drive. example when i drive to cirkewwa at 6 am i can keep a very good hi speed and average. but as i drive 400km a week during the day i think i have an accurate average speed in Malta. further more we just did a survey amongst cyclist and we agreed around 25-30km/ hour. of course i do not think that you would want to overspeed in a village ?
to note also the average will be higher with drivers who overspeed or drive at odd hours.
Antoine Zammit
Nov 21st 2011, 14:01
I TOTALLY DISAGREE.... DON'T BE RIDICULOUS???
30 km/h is laughable. You can go faster running and it will induce damage to cars!! Cars simply aren't designed to go this slow. It will kill gearboxes and fuel systems, along with engine mountings and crank from slow engine speed and knocking!
How about raising the national urban speed limit to 50 km/h as the rest of Europe.....
I would propose boykotting the Attard's businesses so that these put pressure on the Local Council to reverse this ridiculous and decision!
What a police state mentality! In what sorry state we have ended ourselves in?? 40km/h is too slow??
The engine stalls at any gear at 40km/h!! You can go all the way in 1st gear! it will melt the engine..
To those who agree I say.. What is the scope of owning a car in Malta if you are not prepared to go say at 60-70kph??? The whole scope is defied by the increased taxes and expenses and the government inflated price of fuel??
Then go all the way and ban motor vehicles included Arriva! and everyone goes by foot or rickshaws! Let's not forget that cars designed 2000 onwars are perfectly safe up to 120km/h and beyonds.. The sorts of speed you drive when you drive abroad! The car is as useless invention in this country as the snow mobile!
Mr robert micallef
Nov 21st 2011, 15:24
The speed limit is because of people like you who think its safe to drive at 120 km per hr in malta. Maybe some one should explain to you why it could be safe on a german autobahn but not in attard
Mr John Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 14:01
Mela, San Anton Street residents wanted sleeping policemen installed...but council never did install them.
Then turn up the President's Kitchen Garden and all of a sudden the speed bumps appear, the speed is reduced to 33kph and parking is a nightmare.
Was there a MEPA permit to allow a commerical activity open its doors in a residential area? Had a traffic impact assessment been carried out? Did The Kitchen Garden provide a car park?
When approached, the council proposed conducting a Traffic Assessment Report...this was over 2 months ago and still hasn't been conducted. Furthermore, the report is too late now...residents already know what the impact is.
Dear Mr. President, please tell me which strings you managed to pull at MEPA,
George Azzopardi
Nov 21st 2011, 16:16
dawk par idejn sodi ta veru!
Rachel Williams
Nov 21st 2011, 13:54
Pedestrians must also learn how to cross safely!!! Not everyone is like that idiot who ran over those poor twins
Mr L Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 13:53
Jekk xi darba jfettilu jigi uslan bolt hawn malta, importanti jigi infurmat li ma jistax jigri gewwa h'attard ghax jaqla ticket.
Mr Peter Korsten
Nov 21st 2011, 13:46
You can't drive much faster than 30 km/h anyway in most of Attard. What I would like, though, is that the urban speed limit of 50 km/h (yes, it's 50, please check your facts) is maintained in main thoroughfares like Valletta Road. And I would like to stop and reverse the proliferation of speed bumps in Attard, because it's becoming ridiculous. Instead, spend some money on fixing the roads, because they are in a disgraceful state in Attard.
As a father of a small child and as somebody who despises most of the speed limits in Malta, I support such a measure, but I would really like a national standard on speed limits:
1) 30 km/h on residential (side) roads and old village cores, marked by entry and exit signs
2) The default of 50 km/h on straight, high-volume roads within built-up areas, indicated as you enter or exit such an area (Valletta Road, Old Railway Track, Pitkali Road)
3) 80 km/h on all other roads
And get rid of 35, 40, 45, 60 and 70 km/h speed limits.
Rachel Williams
Nov 21st 2011, 13:54
Agreed!
R Malia
Nov 21st 2011, 13:42
30kmph? Did we not learn anything? Slow speed (or overspeeding)is what kills... people would start overtaking slow drivers and increasing the risk of accidents. 30 is too slow.
Even if you see where there are speed cameras... people drive at 40kmph at the 60kmph limit just to be safe not to get fined thus increasing traffic I can't imagine at what they'll do at 30.. get out of the car and push their cars?
Slow speed= frustration
Frustration = accidents
Malta never learns.
Josef Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 14:03
I Fully agree.
Patricia Saliba
Nov 21st 2011, 14:16
Malta is not Brands Hatch as anyones commonsense would tell, these roads here in Malta are not made for speed, god help us if they straighten out the coast road!!!!a minutes patience is all thats needed!
S. Zammit
Nov 21st 2011, 15:35
its for the residential areas only. Haven't you read the article?
Cedric Mamo
Nov 21st 2011, 19:16
by definition a road is considered residential if it has at least one house on it... which basically means all roads in attard are residential :)
Ian Bugeja
Nov 21st 2011, 13:41
One thing to mention is that measures like this although are there to make our roads safer will not result in so. Accidents like the one where the two sisters got injured will still occur even if speed cameras and limits are introduced.
Alex Falzon
Nov 21st 2011, 13:40
I welcome the initiative and hope that more local council opt for it too. However, I hope that no sleeping police will be installed but rather speed cameras or undercover wardens/policemen. Fines should be quite high.
Eric Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 13:38
At last. Some sense from the Attard local council. Well done. You can start by putting a watch on public transport buses in the early hours of the morning.... The sheer acceleration from one corner to the next is insane. 30km/hr will make our streets so much safer. Hope other councils follow.
Pierre Mangion
Nov 21st 2011, 13:33
i cannot see all the fuss. the difference it takes to travel 1km at 30km rather than 40km is just 0.5 minutes (30seconds). what everyone needs to understand is that the core centers are not the answer to free flowing traffic - for that there are the by-passes. unfortunately we do have the mentality of taking shortcuts through the village cores due to heavily congested non-core routes. this is the main problem apart from the excessive number of cars on our roads.
Ramon Casha
Nov 21st 2011, 13:33
The people coming up with proposals like these have no idea what they're doing, and this is proven by the fact that they don't even know that the speed limit for urban areas is 50 km/h, not 40.
In the accident mentioned, the car was travelling at 102km/h according to news reports. This is what constitutes a danger to pedestrians, not a car travelling at the correct speed limit of 50km/h.
By setting the speed limit to an absurd 30 km/h the council is sending the message that the people who make the rules are incompetent and that the rules should therefore be ignored.
Albert Farrugia
Nov 21st 2011, 13:31
Throughout the EU 50kmh is the norm inside urban areas, and 30 kmh for residential streets. In the picture above, the street shown ought to have a 50 speed limit, while the streets off it should be limited to 30 kmh.
D Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 13:28
Isn't the speed limit 50km/h in urban areas?
http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/archive/HighwaycodeEng/part7E.asp
Since when is it 40km/h?
We'll soon have to hire a man with a red flag to walk in front of our car to pass through Attard.
Kevin Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 13:18
you can install three million signs in all the roads showing a 30kmph speed limit - motorists will always drive at their normal speed if there are no speed cameras. Are you prepared to install speed cameras in all the roads or put Wardens with speed guns? Also, please tell me how drivers are supposed to drive... looking at the road or at the speedometer because to abide by that speed limit, you have to constantly monitor the speedometer not the road?! Another thing... 30kmph will mean more congestion, hence more traffic, hence more exhaust, hence more pollution, hence more diseases.
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 13:40
RE (Kevin Camilleri) – “30kmph will mean more congestion, hence more traffic, hence more exhaust, hence more pollution, hence more diseases” - - - - -
Speeds are lower than 30kph during the rush hour so many built up areas (yes nearer walking speed ! ) - cars merely accelerate to higher speeds the next congested spot. So whether they drive fast or keep to the limit not makes no difference. These speed limits are accepted abroad in many towns and cities – what is so special about Malta?
And---------- “ how (are) drivers supposed to drive... looking at the road or at the speedometer because to abide by that speed limit,” - u ejja !
A. Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 13:41
fully agree...what a farce. 30 kph. i guess they are trying to copy the uk....well...in the UK it is 30mph (48.3 kph)!!!!!!!!!
Kevin Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 14:12
@ G G Debono
I agree with you on the first bit. Yes it is true, during rush hour, people tend to drive at less than 30kmph - mainly because they are at a standstill. However, when it is not rush hour, this will increase pollution during that period of time.
As regards the looking at the speedometer bit - a huge number of cars are coming from the UK - with Miles being the largest digits on the Speedometers. It is very difficult to track you speed and yes, you have to actually stay looking at the speedo so not to exceed that speed limit. 30kmph means driving on 2nd gear because if you put a normal car on third gear the engine will start to rattle!
Also, we have to keep in mind one very important thing - in Malta, a large number of our main or arterial roads are in the center of our towns - so now we have to drive @ 30kmph in our arterial roads aswell? The road in the picture is one of the busiest roads in Attard, all day - it is almost an arterial road because it links ta qali and Mosta to the Centre of Attard and Mosta residents use it if they want to cross between Mosta and Zebbug or Qormi. We have to be careful! I fully support the need to slow down some drivers - but driving the driving to a complete halt is non sense. It is already a nightmare!
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 12:48
Comments like these are pathetic –
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin: 30 kph is indeed ridiculous!
H Attard: HA HA HA....30km/hr is a joke!!!!
Charles Sammut: Overkill. Why not pedestrianise all Attard streets
As to Charles Sammut’s comment – “Accidents are not caused by someone driving at 40 kph.”
The FACT that Speed is a major cause of death in urban road accidents has demonstrated and the following been quoted again and again, yet people continue to oppose any speed limits & insisting on driving fast on residential roads - - -
.
85% percent of pedestrians die if hit by a car traveling at a speed of 60 kph
45% percent of pedestrians die if hit by a car traveling at a speed of 50 kph
5% percent of pedestrians die if hit by a car traveling at a speed of 30 kph
Please remember that roads belong to everybody – not only cars – so they should be safe for everybody.
It is not clear on whose side Mr Attard is - - - - - his remark “....riding a bike is a suicide mission on most roads..” is absolutely true – But bicycle use is only dangerous because drivers are dangerous! Let us hope that continuing progressive changes in fabour of children and pedestrians will continue in Attard – making it safer for pedestrians and children to walk in the street.
Congratulations to the council for having the courage to break out the old-fashioned mind-set that roads are only for cars. .
C. Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 16:20
Can you name any accident that was fatal at 40km/h in the Attard area or even in the whole of Malta? I guess not. How about adding statistics of the increased traffic which ultimately deteroriates our breathable air which ultimately affects our health directly.
Peter Aquilina
Nov 21st 2011, 12:43
How about BALZAN LOCAL COUNCIL following this example and applying the same speed limit ( 30 kph ) to TRIQ IL-WIED BALZAN ?
A few years ago residents of Triq il-Wied Balzan forwarded their multiple pleas to Balzan Local Council so as to remedy the hazard of speeding vehicles through this street - despite pedestrians crossing over the allocated pedestrian crossing .
No matter the time wasted in corresponding with Balzan Local Council the "song remained the same" !
Joseph M Scicluna
Nov 21st 2011, 12:34
So most probably the Coucil will infest the streets with humps, rumble strips and the like. That will not be a wise idea. I live in Qormi where sleeping policemen, I am referring to humps, are abundant everywhere. Going down to Mill street from Victory Street and back, I have to run over not less than 14 humps every time. No wonder I'll have to replace my car's dampers ( shock absorbers) and some suspension ball joints. Those irresponsible will not reduce speed but keep on speeding especially small commercial vehicles and other "kings of the road". Police supervision is the only deterrent to such measures.
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 12:46
RE "So most probably the Coucil will infest the streets with humps, rumble strips and the like. "
I don't think so - there are many, many more sensible ways to calm traffic and I am sure that the Attard Council know better....
S. Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 12:00
Good move as long as it is not implemented by littering our roads with the 15kph bone-shaking rubber traffic bumps that someone is making a lot of money on and are supposedly illegal on main thoroughfares.
There are plenty of MUCH better calming measures that can be applied .
Patricia Saliba
Nov 21st 2011, 14:14
LIKE? enlighten me do, Bugibba and neighbouring streets are used as racetracks, is there anyone around to notice this? No, of course not, not until an accident happens, thens its "if only I had gone slower etc" speed kills and it is appalling around these roads summer and winter, i have noticed cars do not even stop at stop lines at end of road they just whizz round the corner, instead of traffic wardens badgering up behind some bush here and there they should get out on the roads and catch these culprits, not wait until say, a person pops into a shop, and very quickly before the person comes out, run and put a sticker on their car, what a job! childs play! until an accident happens.
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 11:51
Comments like these are pathetic – - - Sylvana Zarb Darmanin: 30 kph is indeed ridiculous! - - - H Attard: HA HA HA....30km/hr is a joke!!!! - - - - - Charles Sammut: Overkill. Why not pedestrianise all Attard streets - - - etc etc etc
As to Charles Sammut’s comment – “Accidents are not caused by someone driving at 40 kph.” - sorry but accidents can occur at any speed and the higher the speed the more likely that a pedestrian will be killed.
The FACT that Speed is a major cause of death in urban road accidents has repeatedly demonstrated and the following been quoted again and again, yet people continue insisting on driving fast on residential roads - - -
.
85% percent of pedestrians die if hit by a car traveling at a speed of 60 kph
45% percent of pedestrians die if hit by a car traveling at a speed of 50 kph
5% percent of pedestrians die if hit by a car traveling at a speed of 30 kph
Please remember that roads belong to everybody – not only cars – so they should be safe for everybody.
It is not clear on whose side Mr Attard is - - - - - his remark “....riding a bike is a suicide mission on most roads..” is absolutely true – But, surely, bicycle use is only dangerous because drivers are dangerous! Let us hope that continuing progressive changes in fabour of the safety of children and pedestrians on our streets will continue in Attard – making it safer for pedestrians and children to walk in the street.
Congratulations to the council for having the courage to break out of the old-fashioned mind-set that roads are only for cars.
Mr Anthony Neil Pace
Nov 21st 2011, 11:49
As if anyone will obey that REDICULOUS Speed limit.
I'm sorry, if anything this will antagonize drivers to speed up even more. 40kph is much better suited.
And furthermore, The Attard Local Council cannot be making such decisions when the Public Transport in Malta is still a complete and utter mess, and must be more flexible. We Drivers cannot suffer because of a dimitted idiot (Who got away with it.) who made the worst possible decision (Driving without a License, at
150kph in a Residential Area.) We Maltese need to start learning from the rest of Europe. and Focus on Infrastructure, and reduce bureaucratic waste.
Charles Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 11:49
Just as well walk. This is snail pace.
Adrian Gouder
Nov 21st 2011, 11:33
Has the council tried to enforce 40kph to start with? This is truly ridiculous to say the least.
Paul Barrett
Nov 21st 2011, 11:25
Just which Highway Code do people use. The Maltese Highway Code (on line at the following URL: http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/archive/HighwaycodeEng/part7E.asp
Paragraph 272 clearly states that the Attard Local Council members just have not got a clue of what the current maximum speed limit law is and yet they try to impose absolutely idiotic speed limits (30 kph = 18.75 Mph) - i.e., double running speed but most good bicycles will be exceeding the speed limit.
All they will create is road rage frustration and masses of vehicle fumes. The correct solution is to teach road users and pedestrians how to use the road - reading the Maltese Highway Code would be a good start.
John Scerri
Nov 21st 2011, 11:19
Has any Attard council member validated [gone around in his/ her car accompanied by another jotting notes] to validate whether All the streets and Alleys and Roads need to be indicated at 30KM/hr [20mph] ? I am sure certain stretches need to be speed controlled but others can be left at max 60km/hr.
or is this MOVE with the aim of FUNDING THE COUNCIL BY FINES ?????
Ramon Casha
Nov 21st 2011, 11:08
Further proof, if any were needed, that many councils are run by incompetent fools who are only out for votes. The person who presented this motion - Ralph Cassar - doesn't even know that the national urban speed limit is 50 km/h, not 40.
The horrific accident that took place last year involved a car travelling at 102 km/h. Reducing the speed limit from 50 to 30 would have done absolutely nothing to help in this case. What this motion does is penalise those people who are trying to drive correctly within the limits and encourage more of us to ignore the set limits and drive at a sensible speed instead.
C Pisani
Nov 21st 2011, 10:51
Courageous move by the Attard local council. Obviously all the people posting negative comments about these measures, like driving fast, and care ONLY about themselves. As for Mr Sammut's comments, speed DOES kill, and it is a proven FACT, so everybody please stop trying to make excuses.
People have to change their mentality and STOP depending so much on their private car. And car drivers have to except the fact that they MUST share the road with other vehicles, including motor cycles and bicycles. If they do not like it they should not be driving.
Well done Attard local council.
Edward Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 12:20
Yes, speed does indeed kill. However, the two girls ploughed down by a van in Attard were not hit by a vehicle travelling at 40kph... it was travelling at 100kph+. Dropping the speed limit to 30kph will not deter people who were willing to break the law when the limit was 40kph.
Useless and shortsighted move Attard local council.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Nov 21st 2011, 10:41
30 kph is indeed ridiculous! Enforcement of the 40kph limit would have been more appropriate.
Rachel Williams
Nov 21st 2011, 13:56
Well said
vella m
Nov 21st 2011, 10:11
Why do we in Malta keep quoting speed limit in kilometers when most of our cars if not the majority, their speedometer shows in miles per hour(MPH),kilometers are on the in side and very small.
Marco Farrugia
Nov 21st 2011, 14:15
you got to be kidding right?
Mr Eric Gahn
Nov 21st 2011, 15:40
Attn Mario Farrugia. The original poster is bothg right and wrong. While we use the metric system, so KPH is what the roadsigns shoudl read, most cars on the market (even European designed and manufactred units) are with a larger MPH speedometer with smaller KPH figures.
vella m
Nov 21st 2011, 18:03
@Marco Farrugia,isn't your car speedo in MPH?I have three cars ,one is ten years old the other five and two years old. all three are in miles per hour.
H Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 09:55
HA HA HA....30km/hr is a joke!!!! public transport is crap....riding a bike is a suicide mission on most roads...and walking is not an option for everybody....
I hope transport malta trashes the idea.
Peter Murray
Nov 21st 2011, 09:49
Great news and now we can all relax with the knowledge that these new speed restrictions will be robustly adhered too by motorists and stringently enforced by the authorities.Get real please as we already have had similar speed limits in residential areas for many years -all of which are cavalierly ignored with impunity with remarkable regularity by the majority of drivers.So what is new or what will change?
G G Debono
Nov 21st 2011, 12:37
negative again !
Charles Sammut
Nov 21st 2011, 09:25
Overkill. Why not pedestrianise all Attard streets. Better still ban any non-resident from setting foot in Attard!
Accidents are not caused by someone driving at 40 kph. The horrific accident referred to in the article involved a driver without driving licence, insurance, conscience or brain. I don't remember the exact speed that he was driving at, but it was certainly more than 80kph.
And how exactly will the council's speed enforcers decide who is driving at 30 kph or 40 kph? Will speed cameras be installed in every Attard street? Will speed humps be laid down by the hundreds? The first people to complain about this will be the victim residents of Attard themselves. Serves them right, they will vote more wisely come next council election.
Frans van Avendonk
Nov 21st 2011, 09:24
High time to realise the Attard By pass!