Over the past 15 years or so, I have noticed (should I say it?) a marked improvement in the driving laws of Malta being adhered too. Namely the rule of giving way to traffic coming from the right on roundabouts. It took a long time to implement, but I think it is okay to say "it's now working" as is the rule of giving way to traffic coming from the right at junctions and crossroads, even if to a lesser extent.

Now the real reason for this letter: The Maltese Highway Code is supposedly based on the UK Highway Code, but the biggest problem on the roads of Malta is the overtaking of cars on the outside lane by using the inside lane, more commonly known as undertaking. Having driven in many countries around the world, the one thing they have in common is that you only overtake on the outside lane unless there is an exception to the rule and you have been informed beforehand. For many foreigners and tourists who have the tendency to drive according to their own country's highway code, this is the most dangerous and alarming experience they ever have of Malta. I am sure that a great many of the road accidents here are caused by undertaking.

In the early 1960s in the UK, after a number of deadly accidents caused by undertaking, they came out with the slogan "Undertaking - The Quickest Way to the Undertakers". It worked.

I believe even in Malta that undertaking is illegal but never enforced by the police or warden service. It would now seem prudent that with the revised traffic fines and the improved customer liaison with traffic wardens, this problem could be dealt with most urgently.

One for the traffic police and traffic wardens: The crossing of a continuous single white line, by a driver of a vehicle, does not mean he is breaking the law or justifies a traffic offence ticket. A continuous single white line is meant to warn a driver of a road hazard and caution should be shown before crossing. Double white lines can only be crossed when overtaking a stationary vehicle or a horse or when turning into a junction, all with extreme caution.