If you have already visited Malta, you probably know what I am talking about when I speak about the Maltese traffic. Congested roads, accidents, honking cars and stressed drivers are on the daily agenda. But why is it that so many Maltese people use their cars to go to places? It seems almost as if the Maltese cannot be without their beloved vehicle. Even going to the doctor around the corner, shopping after work or visiting friends that live just a few minutes away from home, they always use their car. The result of this is that the streets are congested, and that it can sometimes take over one hour during rush-hour to go from one place to another.
In my opinion, I think this is primarily the reason that the Maltese like to be comfortable in their car as much as possible. Having a car is also a sign of prosperity. It is often the case that more than one car is owned, often a German mid-range car that is only driven on Sundays. The vehicle will be meticulously maintained and the owners are very cautious that no scratches or dents spoil the vehicle. This is a problem that the Maltese usually ignore. Congested roads and the eternal search for a parking space are gladly accepted. It is no surprise that even the opening of the new McDonald’s with a drive-in counter (which is not usual in Malta) is celebrated in a way that it even gets the cover story in the local newspaper.
A funny fact is that the Maltese do not tend to drive expensive cars. Even though the market shows a relatively high price level, and you would expect it if they love their cars so much, but expensive cars are fairly rare. Most Maltese tend to be more practical. In the office of Dr Werner & Partner we share a vehicle, and we use it to take documents to court, or to pick up our clients from the airport. However, we generally walk to work or the restaurants. We enjoy the short distances in Malta, and many popular places can be easily reached by foot.
