Picture this: The bustling streets of Qormi, Malta’s third-largest local council area, humming with life as the sun sets on another day. Suddenly, the wail of an ambulance breaks the evening’s calm, rushing to yet another traffic accident. This scene has become an all too familiar one for Qormi residents, as the latest statistics reveal a worrying trend.

By the Numbers: Qormi’s Accident Hotspots

In the first three months of 2023, Qormi saw a total of 65 traffic accidents, according to data obtained from the Malta Police Force. This figure is the highest among all local councils on the island, outpacing even the more densely populated areas like Birkirkara and Ħamrun. But where exactly in Qormi are these accidents happening?

Triq San Girgor, a major thoroughfare connecting Qormi to nearby towns, tops the list with 12 accidents. The busy Triq il-Kbira, leading up to the historic Mdina Gate, follows closely with 10. These two roads alone account for nearly a third of all accidents in Qormi during this period.

Causes and Concerns: What’s Behind the Numbers?

So, what’s driving this increase in traffic accidents in Qormi? Local councillors and residents point to a mix of factors. Speeding, lack of parking spaces leading to dangerous manoeuvres, and the high volume of traffic passing through the town are among the most cited reasons.

“Qormi is a transit town,” explains Councillor Mario Fava. “We’re sandwiched between other urban centres, and that means a lot of traffic passing through. We need to look at how we can make our roads safer, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Taking Action: Qormi’s Response to the Crisis

Qormi Local Council is not sitting idly by. They’ve been working on a series of initiatives to improve road safety. These include installing more speed cameras, improving street lighting, and even planning a pedestrianisation project for the town centre.

“We’re also working closely with the police and other stakeholders to raise awareness about road safety,” adds Councillor Fava. “We want to remind everyone that we’re not just fighting numbers here; we’re fighting for the safety of our community.”

Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to play their part. “We all need to do our bit to make our streets safer,” says Qormi resident and cycling enthusiast, Joseph Xuereb. “That means driving safely, following the rules, and looking out for each other.”

As the sun sets on another day in Qormi, the town’s roads hum with life once more. But this time, there’s a renewed sense of purpose, a collective effort to make these streets safer for everyone.