[WATCH] Back-to-school morning traffic continues • Very few make use of carpooling

In two hours on Tal-Barrani Road, MaltaToday noticed not more than three vehicles with at least two passengers besides the driver, indicating extremely minimal use of carpooling

Northbound traffic grinds to a halt • Photo by Chris Mangion
Northbound traffic grinds to a halt • Photo by Chris Mangion
Northbound traffic grinds to a halt • Photo by Chris Mangion
Northbound traffic grinds to a halt • Photo by Chris Mangion
Carpooling still unpopular despite morning traffic lock down • Video by Chris Mangion

For the second day running, early morning traffic slowed to a crawl – or a downright stop in some places – after nearly 32,000 students started their scholastic year in primary and secondary state schools on Monday, together with 3,713 teachers and 2,143 learning support assistants.

Northbound traffic on the Tal-Barrani Road between Zejtun and Tarxien was already backed up by 6.45am and only started returning to normal around two hours later.

But one thing was immediately obvious: in two hours on Tal-Barrani Road, MaltaToday noticed not more than three vehicles with at least two passengers besides the driver, indicating extremely minimal use of carpooling.

Northbound traffic grinds to a halt • Photo by Chris Mangion
Northbound traffic grinds to a halt • Photo by Chris Mangion

Many drivers told MaltaToday they had experienced delays of up to 30 or 45 minutes and that they did not think that traffic control for the back to school days was any better this year when compared to previous years.

The transport ministry last week announced that additional wardens, traffic policemem and LESA officials would be deployed this week, and coordinated from one central office in a bid to alleviate traffic flow.

Transport minister Joe Mizzi also appealed to commuters to plan their trips ahead of time, and to use carpooling and other modes of transport like the sea passenger ferries where available.

And while some drivers acknowledged that traffic seemed lighter this year, many said they saw no improvement over previous years, with some going as far as to claim that the situation had only gotten worse.

Some drivers said they had not even noticed the policemen or wardens on major roundabouts and intersections, let alone registered any improvement in traffic control.

Others said Maltese drivers needed to be better educated and that most traffic problems were caused by impatient and careless drivers who ignored rules and imperiled other drivers through reckless driving.

Another 25,000 students will be starting their scholastic year in church and private schools in the coming days.