Analysis of traffic accidents and their causes on the Coast Road, Malta

Abstract

Physical injuries sustained in traffic accidents are the worst aspect apart from the financial losses incurred in such situations. The Coast Road in question is notoriously known for the hazardous mishaps experienced by both local and foreign drivers. Hence the focus of this dissertation will primarily be to probe into the causes of the ongoing accidents occurring between 2000 and 2005 according to the relevant information gathered. The classification of accidents varies from that of slight bruises to unfortunately fatal injuries. After consulting the Police Official Accident Reports, the Transport Authority Department Statistical Data and St. Luke's Hospital Accidents' Records, it will be possible to establish pertinent details of the various accidents on the Coast Road. Newspaper coverage of accidents involving specific victims will also be used as support sources. Hopefully, the suggestions arising from this study will form the basis of a brainstorming interview with personnel from the Ministry of Roads and Infrastructure and the Transport Authority Department. This would lead to understanding and learning more about the preventive measures that ought to be implemented to reduce the many hazardous risks still existing on the Coast Road. Furthermore, it is hoped that with the EU Road Safety Legislation (June 2003) as a guideline, a distinct improvement in the local preventive measures in road safety will become manifestly evident. Accidents occur in a bat of an eye-lid, many times brought about by ill health, lack of responsibility, reckless driving, deteriorating road conditions and their neglected infrastructure, along with various vehicle malfunctions. Therefore, a justification for this study will be made to minimize impossible traffic accidents on the Coast Road by the means of recommendations for changes in the road infrastructure, the enforcement of these changes and the distribution of the adopted recommendations.