I wish to comment on the article Comments about local wardens “not factual” (TMID, 24 February). I am sure that the traffic management service given by local wardens during Carnival weekend in Gozo was priceless, considering that the mayhem was described as resembling that of the yearly Santa Maria invasion. However, in order to be factual, the statement should have also specified the number and type of contraventions issued during that weekend so that we can all compare this figure to the “about 30 warnings” issued during the “educational campaign started by the Gozo Joint Committee”.

The statement ends by reminding us that “certain individual driving behaviour and decisions made by aggressive drivers can lead to loss of life and life threatening injuries”. If the goal of Joint Committees for local councils is to change undesirable driving behaviour and its outcome, if they believe they are succeeding, how is it than that traffic fatalities are basically unchanged while road accidents and injuries are on the increase?

Why, has the combined manpower of local wardens not made an impact on these statistics? The annual incidence of serious injury and fatalities at the place of work are comparable to those on the road yet, the Occupational Health and Safety Directorate has fewer than 15 inspectors to do the job. Reality shows that the local warden service has failed to educate where it matters, most wardens have failed to win the trust and respect of the citizens and in spite of the trumpeted aims of the service, the indelible perception of the people is that they are a source of revenue for the councils, livelihood for the wardens themselves and profit for the warden agencies.

Yes, I was recently handed an unjust contravention for which I have no time to contest.

Albert Bezzina

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