A survey commissioned by The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that 50 per cent of road users are stuck in traffic for up to 40 minutes a day. So bad is the situation that 60 per cent of the population say they have to plan ahead because of the major impact traffic has on their trips. No wonder, almost four of every 10 admit they experience anger or frustration when they have to simply sit and wait in their car.

A European Transport Safety Council report confirms that Malta had the highest increase in road deaths in Europe last year, reaching the EU28 average after many years below that level.

To understand what needs to be done to make roads safer and easier to navigate, we first need to identify the causes. We must also be convinced of the human and economic costs of a traffic system that is increasingly unfit for purpose.

The first cause of deterioration in the traffic system is the big increase in the car population. Malta has the second highest rate of car ownership in the EU, with 634 cars per 1,000 people.

Public transport is slowly improving with more regular services but only 13 per cent of people consider travelling by bus. The use of motorcycles is still not significant, possibly because of the physical risk involved.

The health issues connected to this traffic crisis range from increased incidents of road rage, which could affect the mental health of drivers at least for the period of time they are on the road, to breathing polluted air that is certainly no good for one’s respiratory system.

The increase in road users is, to a large extent, attributed to the economic growth the country has experienced over the last decade. But this growth was not matched by investment in the roads system, at least, it does not appear to be the case. Many roads, as admitted by the Prime Minister himself, are in an “atrocious” state of repair.

Thanks to funds coming from the European Union, this country could start doing something significant to ensure Malta has the roads it needs and also cater for improving traffic flow in black spots. The Kappara junction, now in its final stages, and the Marsa artery, that will follow, are two such examples.

Efforts have also been made to improve the public transport system, even though more assistance to the operating company to ensure trips are more frequent and passenger-friendly. A lot more needs to be done to lure car drivers to use buses at least for errands in Valletta, Sliema and other magnets of heavy traffic.

The most urgent priority is the need to improve the driving standards of many drivers and more discipline on the roads. The use of mobile phones is ubiquitous despite the fact that it is illegal. Poor enforcement is making their use while driving a more dangerous practice than driving under the influence of substances like drugs and alcohol.

Traffic congestion is a chronic problem that cannot be resolved in the short term. The best chance of success is a long-term investment plan to improve the road network combined with short-term tactics to encourage more people to share cars, used public transport and avoid travelling in peak hours when this is an option.