The month that has just ended was one that will not be forgotten quickly because of the many accidents that led to untimely deaths.
There were deaths from drug overdose, on a construction site, on the road and from drowning, all happenings that made the news and the front pages. It had been a long time since Malta had seen so many accidents within such a short span of time, if ever.
It is not the intention to go into the merits of these particular cases. But such incidents should make us all reflect on what can and should be done in order to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The drug problem has been with us for far too long. It is a scourge that has hit our society badly, and it is a long war that will be difficult to win. Some battles may be won, but it is hard to imagine that such a problem will ever be eradicated.
Still, this should not discourage civil society from fighting on. The police know that they have a tough job on their hands, but they are committed to it, and the successes they do achieve every now and then – and recently we have had a few of those – should give them more confidence in their work.
Health and safety at places of work, especially for those at risk more than others, should be a priority too. Laws have been enacted to give workers more protection and reduce danger. What is important is that these laws are implemented, by both employers and employees.
Employers should make sure that the workers on their books are given the safety equipment they need to protect them as much as possible. For their part, the workers themselves must make use of such equipment at all times, and should never take unnecessary risks.
The number of deaths on our roads following traffic accidents has also been high. Many of them have been young people.
What we should all understand is that we should exercise more caution on our roads. Drivers should lessen their speed and pedestrians should be more careful when they are crossing roads. In a country like Malta, where distances are short, there is no real reason for drivers to drive with excessive speed – after all, they can only arrive at their destination maybe five minutes earlier. And, are five minutes worth risking life for?
Deaths from drowning have also been rather common, most particularly in summer. Now that the hotter season is fast approaching, we should all make it a point to be extremely careful when we are on the beach. When the sea is rough or when the currents are strong, we should not take any risks.
In particular, parents of young children who are still learning how to swim should not leave them in the water on their own or should at least keep a watchful eye on them from close by. It is a common sight in summer – parents reading a book in the shade or chatting with friends while toddlers play in the water; it only takes a few seconds for a child to find himself or herself in difficulty.
These are thoughts worth pondering about. We all have families, we are all workers or have relatives who work, we are all drivers and pedestrians and we all like to go swimming.
Families who have been hit by tragedies know what it means to have lost loved ones. Let us all be more careful and more responsible in what we do.