The lack of discipline in Malta's roads is clearly manifested the minute you get behind the wheel, but more motorists are now complaining at what appears to be a total lack of enforcement and remedial action, as these two examples show.

A video sent in by a motorbike rider shows a container truck breaking at least three laws in the space of a few minutes. The driver of the truck with no visible number plate is first seen overtaking a motorbike from the inner lane in Qormi until he dangerously speeds past a number of cars on the outer lane of a two-way road in Mellieħa... with another car following in hot pursuit.

"The incident happened near Għajn Tuffieħa, the same road where another biker was killed some time ago. Incredibly, the truck managed to get to the Ċirkewwa terminal before the motorbike," the reader said.

The caved-in road grating is dangerous for all motorists.

In grate danger

Motorists are also frustrated at the inaction shown by authorities after they failed to respond to reports that a metal grating in Mosta partially caved into the gutter posing a danger especially to motorbikes. 

The grating is located in Triq Pantar, close to the Pama complex. 

The damage has been reported to both the local council and the transport authorities but nobody has taken action, according to readers who contacted Times of Malta. 

Motorbike owner Mark Spiteri said the dangerous obstacles and the lack of collaboration from authorities were dissuading many from responding to the government's initiatives to promote motorcycle driving.

"One feels very demotivated when you receive no response from the authorities when we report damages in our roads. The  damage could be minimal for cars, but fatal for those riding on two wheels."

Riders were continuously reporting the dangerous obstacles in the roads but many of their laments were falling on deaf ears, according to Mr Spiteri.

Times of Malta will continue highlighting the problem of law enforcement in the coming weeks.

Spotted anything illegal? Have a video or photo to share? Send it to mynews@timesofmalta.com.