It is said that when information becomes repetitive, it is no longer news.

But this is certainly not the case when it comes to deaths in traffic accidents. And we’ve been having quite a lot of them in Malta these days.

Nearly 50 people have been killed on Maltese roads since the start of 2016, an average of two per month. Some were drivers, others were bikers, and some were passengers or pedestrians. Some had the misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

And behind each and every one of them there is a family who mourned them and friends who miss them. The people who died in these tragic circumstances are not just numbers; they were people who had a life ahead of them, a life that was ended abruptly.

When speaking of traffic accidents, one must also not forget the many other people who were seriously injured and whose life will no longer be the same. They survived a crash or a hit, but they lost a limb, possibly more, and cannot lead a normal life. Some have become an added burden to their family because they can no longer take care of themselves.

Again, they are not just numbers. These are individuals whose life as they knew it ended, and with it that of members of their family. These are people who, every single day, have to face the difficulties created after one split-second changed their lives forever.

When an accident happens, the blame game starts. Inquiries are held to establish the circumstances that led to the tragedy, and if it is discovered that someone is responsible for causing an accidental death or injury, he or she is taken to court to face the consequences. It may take years to establish the truth, and more years for the courts to rule on any compensation that is due.

But no amount of money, and no amount of jail-time, will bring back the dead person or give back total health to the injured.

This is why, as the maxim goes, prevention is better than cure.

We must all be responsible in our behaviour on the roads, in whatever capacity. Drivers, passengers and pedestrians all have their own duties to observe. In this respect, the recently-introduced points system – by which drivers could lose their licence if they accumulate too many misdemeanours – will hopefully go a long way to bring about more discipline. This must however be also accompanied by proper behaviour by pedestrians. It is not the first time that they have been at fault when accidents happen.

The government also has its part to play. A massive campaign on the media should be taken in hand to promote more road safety. It must also ensure that all roads are properly maintained and adequately lit so as to minimize danger as much as possible.