Seven hurt as car ploughs into group waiting to buy veg

Maria Borg-Olivier

Sep 18th 2012, 10:08

You're right - Maltese drivers could write the book on safe driving and road etiquette!

Ian Mamo

Sep 18th 2012, 10:01

Many forms indeed, But that doesn't mean you can generalise. I consider my self to be a fast driver, but am not dangerous, as i don't drive recklessly in built areas (tipo : Hdejn L ghassa ta B'kara), I just exceed the ridiculously given speed limits in Malta.

M. Schembri

Sep 18th 2012, 08:25

Who told you he's an illegal immigrant? Seems like you assumed it, so it must be true. Am I right?

Claire Busuttil

Sep 18th 2012, 08:50

@vella.....and I would add, than even for Maltese is becoming very financially difficult to keep a car....with the always rising costs....

Imer Cardona

Sep 18th 2012, 10:19

M. Schembri, of course he's an illegal immigrant, he wouldn't reside at Hal Far Centre if it was otherwise, eh

M. Schembri

Sep 18th 2012, 10:39

No Imer, those who have protection also go to the Open Centre. These people are here completely legally which means they can get a driving licence.

Stephen Mumford

Sep 18th 2012, 07:22

Apart from organizing the fruit vans I would ask how all these illegal immigrants buy all these vehicles, get driving licenses ? are they all insured? This phenominon makes me wonder !!

Clayton Zahra

Sep 18th 2012, 07:39

For your information the van there, is not in the middle of the street, but it's on a side where cars are parked.

laurent caruana

Sep 18th 2012, 07:47

@ Stephen Mumford

I find your comment rather racist. Would you have commented if he was Maltese??

James Wightman

Sep 18th 2012, 07:48

While I can understand your sentiments, and there may be charges to be brought for placing his customers in harms way, the article give no indication if the van was improperly parked or if the persons injured were standing in the carriageway proper. It was the car and the way it was being driven that was the hazard not the fruit&veg sellers van. Lets not automatically make it the victims fault.

Mary Pace

Sep 18th 2012, 08:08

agree besides they are a nuisance to residents. Twice a week we have to bear a vegetable vendor from 6.30 am to 9.00pm. We are rudely awaken ed early in the mornings with his van's bleeping sound and his clients murmuring and loud conversations. Apart that the men in our street have formed a club right under our terrace and we have no privacy at all all the people know what we buy and when any one of our flats want to carry on works in our home or have a delivery we have to do it when he is not here. This is thanks to the law that allowed the street hawkers unlimited hours parked and doing their business in residential streets.

Angelo Polidano

Sep 18th 2012, 08:12

It is high time to take dangerous drivers off the road and not make excuses for them. How many more people have to suffer before the authorities take a stand against danderous drivers?

Ian Mamo

Sep 18th 2012, 08:39

Angelo Polidano. Don't Mistake Dangerous, with Fast Drivers.

nancy zahra

Sep 18th 2012, 09:00

Mr.John Cole Smith..before giving blame to anyone you should first know the case . The fruit van was not parked in the middle of the street, it was in a side place where cars are usually parked. There is enough space for the clients to buy their veg without being to any obstacle to the passing cars. I am saying this because I know the area quite well and my husband has his fields there. In fact he was one of the maltese persons who has been hit by the driven car !!!

Lawrence Attard

Sep 18th 2012, 09:06

I agree with Mr Polidano, our country has stayed too lenient too long with all kinds of offenders, from drunk drivers being granted bail to drug dealers being given suspended sentences and our rap-on-the-wrist courts are the biggest culprits. We are an overpopulated country yet driving recklessness is getting worse, therefore its obvious we need to be stricter in sentences. So yes if a driver is reckless in driving and careless with the lives of others (as opposed to an accidental circumstance) then they should be taken out of our roads, full stop.

Dick Everhard

Sep 18th 2012, 12:38

@ Mrs Namcy Zahra, I apologize. I am sorry your husband was hurt, may he recover rapidly. My comment is not referring to this incident. I did not go into the merit of the case. I have been speaking in general. Most vans that are parked along the pavement, have fruits displayed, on the side of the carriage way. Every driver knows how many times they have to swerve, from hitting some one, sifting through crates, on the outer side. Secondly, most fruit vans, in this way block the pavement, with their clients. Third, many vans, park, on corners, which is prohibited by law, ie on yellow double line. Fourthly, if one has a shop, or office, or even an ordinary residence, the value of that property decreases. Fifth, as been said, many fruit vendor spots are meeting spots for gossip. That goes on all day. Some vans carry a stench from rotten fruits, much worse that a Scammel. The last thing that is so obvious, is that, all the fruit and veg lays in the sun for hours, and usually in all parked ares in the street are subject to tonnes of exhaust fumes.