The traffic-lit roundabout

Before the traffic lights were installed at the Kappara roundabout the motorists who had to navigate their way from Sliema Road towards Gzira or to the Regional Road tunnel had to face the option of either increasing their no claim bonus or visit their favourite shrink.

This should have been less of a hassle if the third phase of the Regional Road project was finished - that is the fly-over in place of the roundabout.

Then we managed to be the first in the Guinness Book of Records regarding the amount of traffic lights per metre installed on a roundabout. If nothing else, these traffic lights controlled the waiting time of each traffic stream equally. A breath of fresh air... everybody is equal.

After several years of bliss, one fine morning someone's bright spark came to the conclusion that the Maltese drivers have learnt to regard each other in the utmost brotherly love and will go out of their way to observe the right of way.

So it was decided that the traffic lights in this area are ancient history and tranquillity would reign because the Maltese drivers have changed their ways!

When this phenomenal idea was put into practice it was apparent that whoever put forward this idea had something else instead of grey stuff in the right place. On most days there is the presence of traffic policemen and on most occasions they are directing the traffic. We thank them for their work but if the motorist must be directed how to navigate this juncture, would it not be better to put the lights back on and release the traffic policemen to other duties?

I hope the authorities would not decide to remove the traffic policemen and leave the lights on the blink due to this letter!