The list of road accidents – some of which do not thankfully result in bigger tragedies, such as the overturned trailer incident in Marsa on Monday – underlines road safety as a priority.
The fact that the Marsa accident caused long tailbacks of traffic across the island shows potential traffic mismanagement, but also that few are reluctant to abandon their private cars to use public transport.
These small islands have 330,000 registered vehicles, which are increasing by an estimated 4,000 every year. They also have 240,000 registered drivers, with many young people reaching driving age every year.
A traffic accident or incident happens every 30 minutes. On average, three people per day receive medical care as a consequence of being involved in a collision.
Addressing a Transport Malta conference about a consultation exercise on a new speed management policy, transport adviser Major Peter Ripard had lamented that driving school instructors lacked the required skills and knowledge to educate drivers in road safety.
He said they were more focused on helping students obtain their driving licence, and should be educated on the higher standards required to make roads safer.
Of course, the buck does not stop with new drivers. The wake-up educational and correctional call must involve all drivers who for some reason or other are contributing to making our roads less safe.
How many incidents do we see as a result of imprudent, irresponsible or dangerous driving? How many are linked to distraction?
While statistics show other EU member states managed to significantly cut road fatalities, Malta failed to register any real progress in 2011.
Compared with other member states, Malta has a small road network and no motorways. Yet, we registered 41 fatalities per million inhabitants in 2011, the same as 2001.
Sometimes normal traffic conditions can be modified by others who use the roads, such as pedestrians, parked vehicles, animals, and so on.
Wet roads can take their toll too. The quality of asphalt used on some of our roads seems to be inferior and here the road authorities have a lot to answer for.
Come the first drizzle in the coming weeks we are bound to hear of several bumper-to-bumper accidents.
Poor road conditions, including potholes, blind spots and poorly painted road signs can also contribute to accidents.
The same can be said about the state or condition of vehicles - as many drivers refuse to check their brakes or tyres.
Measures like regular and intensive vehicle-safety inspections, efficient road maintenance, proper road signs that would truly aid traffic, as well as reasonable traffic regulations and penalties – with due law enforcement – would be a step forward to bring down the incident figures.
The main stress must be on regular driver education, aimed at encouraging them to act prudently and help them avoid excessive speed. A basic knowledge of the Highway Code is a must. It is not just fast driving which kills or mains.
When are we going to see an end to large vehicles or slow drivers occupying the outer lanes?
When are we going to see traffic police and wardens really tackling indiscipline on the roads by fining on the spot those who do not use indicators?
Unless these issues are resolved, traffic incidents are unlikely to be cut down.