Malta recently fared well in a statistical exercise conducted by the EU’s Eurostat agency. The injury mortality rate in Malta is 26.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Put into language one will understand, this accounts for 3.9 per cent of all causes of death in Malta.

However, it also came to light that 23 per cent of Malta’s road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. Even more worrying is that fact that the percentage of accidents involving pedestrians is only slightly lower. Both figures are higher than the European Union average and where motorcyclists are concerned, Malta has the highest rate amongst all participating countries.

Last weekend, there were three deaths and one person is still in a critical condition as a result of a head on collision, while a woman was also run over by a bus.

Out of the three deaths, one woman was on a zebra crossing. The other two were an elderly husband and wife who were killed when a car being driven by an 18-year-old smashed into them in St Paul’s Bay. The person who was involved in the head on collision was a motorcyclist – the pattern is clear.

Something, somewhere is very wrong and it seems to be our roads and the way we use them. It is very evident that this is the case as Malta fared well overall in relation to accidents, but trails far behind in relation to road safety.

This newspaper already published an editorial about the escalating number of victims on our roads – over 20 this year, a record year. But we feel that it is our duty to write about it again as the statistics which were issued back up the arguments we raised in the last one.

We will again reiterate the dangers of allowing an 18-year-old to obtain a licence for a 1.6 litre turbocharged monster. Most drivers with 15 years experience are still apprehensive of driving such high-powered cars. It makes one wonder how we can allow such things to happen. We will ask this question: How can a greenhorn driver, fresh out of lessons and euphoric in passing their test, be trusted with such a vehicle. As we mentioned in our last editorial, they have neither the restraint, skill or experience to handle such vehicles.

It is clear that authorities must really crack down on roadhogs. There are plenty of them and what is clearly needed is a much tougher approach by the police and wardens. Perhaps it is time for more legislation to get tough on people who seem to think that the roads are their own personal race track.

Motorcyclists are another kettle of fish. They are of course vulnerable on the road, they have no protection. But one must also mention the crazy speed freaks that zip in and out of traffic and overtake on blind corners. It is such a waste of life.

We stick to our guns in saying that the law really needs to get tough on people who flout the law, but we will again raise the argument – should young drivers (or motorcyclists) be restricted to a small-cylinder engine? The answer would have to be an emphatic yes. We are not saying that the legal driving age should be raised, but what we are saying is that, perhaps until they turn 25, young motorists should be restricted to a 1.2 litre engine for cars and low cc engine on motorcycles.

Will it be a foolproof system – no. Will it please younger motorists – no. Will it save lives? Yes.