Malta is a small island with a snaking road network that is, challenging to navigate, to say the least. We often sit in traffic for hours on end because of some form of accident or another. Often we sit and wait to get from A to B simply because some road markings are being painted on the road. It is a veritable congestion nightmare.

Last week, a furore ignited after the Mriehel bypass was closed off to accommodate a horse race. It seems that the authorities do not learn. It has just been announced that today, the road leading from Saqqajja Hill to Siggiewi will also be closed off, for the Mnarja race.

The last race that was held was without a police permit, and any attempts to get information on the matter led to the media being sent from one authority to another without getting any joy. It was all swept under the carpet, and lo and behold, today we have another race. The news was broken at the last minute and the road in question will be blocked off between noon and 5pm.

At least, the road is not a major artery, but that is besides the point. Let us start with a few other issues. Hard road tracks are not good for the horses. The hard surface is a shock the animals’ surprisingly fragile shins. If they are repeatedly pounded in such races, they can get shin splints and will then be put down.

Secondly, there is the safety of the horses and the riders themselves. The road in question today is narrow and winding and is definitely not a place for horses and sulkies to be pelting along at full trot.

And to bring us back to our main point, this is not what we should be talking about when we mention culture and tradition. This is not a marathon – this is a horse race. It is not a national event and serves only to satiate the need for speed of a few horse enthusiasts.

A few days ago, we remarked about certain traditions that make Malta what it is, a unique place in the world. But we also have to realise that certain traditions are not to be cheered about. Closing roads to cater for a horse race that is potentially dangerous to both the animals and the jockeys is exactly one such tradition that should be stopped.

The world changes, and while it is good to maintain our identity, our identity also has to change – as does our mentality. We do not tolerate illegal street racing, so why should we, as a society, tolerate illegal horse races? The answer is simple, we should not. The issue of horses on roads is one that has long been in discussion. It is now time to act.