Somewhat rare and uncommon in the past, however nowadays I am sure that nearly all drivers suffer from this malady. Can you blame them?

Let’s look at what a driver has to endure today. Due to the fact that the government has not built any new roads, bypasses or flyovers to help reduce traffic, and what with the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road, a driver has to endure longer periods in his/her vehicle.

The extremely bad conditions of the roads in Malta have added frustration to the driver, who now has to swerve left or right in order to avoid gaping holes. The introduction of the bendy buses has added further bedlam. These buses are responsible for stopping the flow (slow as it is!) of traffic. Apart from the fact that two buses coming from different directions normally end up stopping as they approach one another because they cannot find adequate space to pass, it is the so-called parking of these vehicles at bus stops that really brings out the road rage in drivers. The rear end of the bus never fits in the bus stop because the bus stop is far too small, so the rear end sticks out towards the middle of the road, stopping traffic behind the bus as well as oncoming traffic.

At this point, I would appreciate if someone would explain the bus timetable because the frequency of buses passing through Sliema and St Julians is, in my opinion, astronomical. Prior to getting new buses, which I must admit were very badly needed (the others were bone shakers and very old in appearance, especially inwardly), the timetable and routes seemed adequate and the public was well served. What has induced this frequency and change of routes? Why should I count 15 buses between the Fortizza in Sliema and the Love sign in Spinola? Now, if I were to go to the Strand and head towards Gżira, and decide to turn back, I cannot take a first right (in front of Tony’s Bar) as this section has been shut off in order to be able to accommodate the odd 15 cars. I have to proceed to the second turning on the right. Contrary to the past, I now have a long queue in front of me, who have all to face the vehicles coming from Gżira. Well done to the person who thought of this!

I do realise that I started this letter writing about the causes of road rage and ended up writing about one of the ways Sliema has changed for the worse. There is so much more to write about but I will leave that for another day.