It is incredible how many traffic infringements one notices while driving, at any time of day and on both major arteries and residential roads.

Many drivers ignore roundabout rules, they fail to switch on the indicator before turning left or right, they cross double or single white lines, they do not switch on their lights inside tunnels, they use their mobile phone while they are driving, they double park, they overtake on the inside of the road, they sometimes over-speed too.

You name it, you have it. The only rule that is regularly followed – generally speaking – is the one involving traffic and pelican lights. Here, it seems that drivers have understood the danger of jumping lights – to themselves, to other drivers and to pedestrians – and are more careful. Of course, you will always have the cowboys who do not obey, but there are fortunately few of them.

Still, the rest of the traffic regulations are constantly being broken, and it is only the presence of a warden or a traffic policeman that often stops drivers from acting irresponsibly by taking unnecessary risks.

The problem is one of education. Maltese drivers seem to think that they own the road, and think they can do what they like. They are oblivious to what is going on around them and seem to believe that theirs is the only car in the road.

Very often, accidents are the result of negligence and over-confidence. Luckily, most accidents do not result in injuries, although of course nobody enjoys being in one, especially because of the hassle that comes with every accident – wardens, police, insurance agencies, panel beaters, spray-painters, mechanics and so much time, and money, involved.

Very often too, some drivers are constrained to break the law because others are not obeying the regulations – if a heavy vehicle is being driven on the outside lane, there is no other option but to overtake on the inside, just to give one example.

Let us face it – there are too many cars on Maltese roads, and in spite of the efforts that have been made by successive governments, the development of our road network and structure has not kept up with the growth of road usage. This often leads to situations when it is extremely frustrating just to be on the road, because what should be a five-minute journey takes you 30 minutes, if not more.

During the hotter days, it becomes even more unbearable because not all cars have an air-conditioning system and not all drivers can afford to have one. One also understands that with so many cars on the road, it has become increasingly more difficult to find parking spaces. But then, why should drivers feel they have a right to park right in front of the place they want to go to? Is it so hard to park some distance away and walk a few hundred metres?

On the whole, it is a matter of discipline. Many people have been abroad and realise that driving there is more organised. And it is so because the drivers there obey the rules. Here, we have our own rules that, if implemented, could make driving much easier and, most of all, safer. All we have to do is follow them.

There should be an ongoing educational campaign about driving, and how hazardous it can be if not enough precautions are taken. The Malta Transport Authority, with the help of other entities that could include local councils, should embark on such a campaign, particularly among the younger generations. It is not enough to have more difficult tests for young drivers to get their licence if, once obtained, these new drivers get into the same habits of the older generations.

Drivers should understand that their car might be comfortable, spacious and beautiful, but if not used well it could easily become a weapon that is hard to control.