More often than not, drivers do not indicate when they are going to turn their vehicle and still less when manoeuvring a roundabout. Consequently drivers coming from adjacent streets and wanting to join the roundabout do not realise the direction of the other vehicle.

The result is that traffic is waiting at exits when it could easily have pulled out if certain drivers were prudent enough to indicate that they were exiting. This is causing unnecessary traffic congestions which could easily beavoided if drivers were prudent and considerate.

I do not believe that traffic wardens are helping much either; I cannot remember anyone being stopped for taking a turn without indicating. Indeed, a few days ago a driver who left the roundabout – without indicating, of course – hooted to the warden on the corner of the exit he turned into, to wave, which wave the warden reciprocated but without any warning whatsoever being given regarding this contravention.

Many foreign students draw my attention to this – especially when we are crossing streets and drivers simply turn onto us without warning. They think that in Malta car indicators are simply embellishments to make the car look better and not to serve their real and very important purpose. Shame on us and even more so on all those who are in duty bound to control this abuse and do nothing about it.