It no longer matters what time you leave home because traffic starts from as early as 6.30am, reaching absurd levels between 7.15am and 8.15am. It is dreadfully evident that apart from the usual justification of more vehicles roaming on the road, more factors are heavily contributing to the increasing traffic jams.

Being stuck in never-ending traffic on a daily basis one can observe factors which I believe the competent authority seems to overlook when it comes to traffic management. Every morning I wonder what interesting traffic-causing factor I will face on my way to the office. Will it be the usual number of learner vehicles? Will it be a horse carriage or, perhaps, a heavy truck being driven at 15 miles an hour on the ‘fast’ lane?

If I am ‘lucky’ enough, I will ‘enjoy’ 10 minutes behind a refuse collection truck or find a delivery van in the middle of the road. Or will it be a lifter moving furniture in an unlawfully closed road without a warden in sight? I couldn’t possibly be fortunate enough to encounter pruning of trees and other plant related maintenance with resultant closure of lanes in the Paola/Marsa traffic lights cross junction at 7.30am, could I?

Seriously, isn’t evident that none of the above should be allowed during peak traffic hours? I guess a proper study of these factors and appropriate action wouldn’t be too much to ask, or would it? Perhaps, certain studies and eventual decisions are better made not from behind a desk but following real life assessment and testing by those who should ensure that commuters arrive at their destination safely and in the shortest time possible.