Residents of St Paul’s Bay and Xemxija have filed a parliamentary petition demanding urgent action over illegal racing and speeding in the area, notably along the bypass.

“There is no law enforcement or sound barries in place, one can witness motorbikes, or other vehicles racing up and down the bypass at illegal speeds (upwards of 120km/h – 170km/h) even during the early hours of the morning,” the petition reads.

“When are we going to see some type of law enforcement and address the noise that the residents have to live with on a daily basis? especially during sleeping hours. – Why weren’t sound barriers ever installed? Why do we have to be woken up by excessive noise, even more so during the weekend when residents are trying to get some rest? And when will illegal racing be addressed?”

“Everyone in St Pauls Bay is aware of the situation when it comes to illegal racing happening on the bypass; although the law enforcement and local council are not acting towards stopping such illegal acts. – And more so, they are not working towards adding sound barriers to allow the residents to be able to get a proper nights sleep.”

Residents said that proof of illegal racing has been captured on video. They are urging MPs to immediately address the issue.

The petition was filed a week after a Tunisian woman was killed and two teenagers were left injured following a traffic accident on Xemxija Hill.

Witnesses on the scene described the husband’s cries of despair and pain after seeing his wife lying dead on the ground. 

The road is particularly dangerous. Traffic accidents on Xemxija Hill have claimed three lives over the last two years, with several people have been left injured.

Countless residents have reached out to Lovin Malta following the crash, raising concerns that the constant speeding in the area means that another horrific accident is simply waiting to happen. 

“It’s like living on a race track, especially on Sundays,” one resident said.

What do you think of the petition?