Ludicrously low speed limit
Driving up the recently reconstructed road from Salina to T'Alla u Ommu, I noticed a road sign indicating a speed limit of 30 kph. Given this very low limit, I thought that there were still some works going on - but this was not the case at all. I...
Driving up the recently reconstructed road from Salina to T'Alla u Ommu, I noticed a road sign indicating a speed limit of 30 kph.
Given this very low limit, I thought that there were still some works going on - but this was not the case at all. I slowed down to 40 kph, only to receive a barrage of loud protests from my passengers. It was, admittedly, a ridiculously slow speed for a straight and smooth road. To make matters worse, there were three signs at regular intervals further along instructing one to "REDUCE SPEED NOW".
Presumably, drivers should drive at the stipulated maximum of 30 kph, and then reduce speed, not once but three times, although the traffic signs did not specify by how much, but certainly less than the previous limit of 30 kph.
I challenge anyone to actually try to abide by the law as laid down by whoever decided to put up these signs. I did try, and failed miserably at 35 kph (the lowest speed I managed to achieve), to the utter frustration of my passengers and a four-wheel driver who was behind me for the whole stretch up to Naxxar.
The following day, I was driving a 31-tonne vehicle from St Andrews towards the Regional Road tunnels. Having gone past the Paceville junction, with no way of turning back, I noticed a traffic sign (no doubt put up by the same expert who worked at T'Alla u Ommu) proclaiming a maximum load of 30 tonnes to be able to proceed.
Being ever so careful to abide by traffic rules, I had only two alternatives. One was to reverse all the way back to the Paceville junction, thereby creating all manner of havoc, or else call my personal helicopter to airlift the 31-tonne vehicle off the road. I was so lucky that my pilot happened to be available.
Perhaps the persons responsible for road signage should consider a course in "Logic for beginners", and also realise that road signs are not just pretty appendages with which to decorate roads and elicit ridicule, but are meant to command respect from road users and help regulate traffic and make our roads safer.