More safety on our roads – Transport Malta continues its inspections on commercial vehicles

During the past months, a series of inspections were carried out on commercial and cargo vehicles, such as trucks and other heavy vehicles.

These inspections were carried in collaboration with a number of authori

ties so as to ensure that various aspects of the commercial operation of these vehicles are in line with Maltese and international legislation. Transport Malta enforcement officers carried out these inspections with officers from the Traffic Division and Immigration Department within the Malta Police Force, officers from Jobsplus and the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER). During one of these inspections, officers from the European Labour Agency were also present.

The purpose of these inspections is a holistic one and goes beyond a simple inspection to ensure that the vehicle is in full conformity with the Highway Code. Officials from the Malta Police Force, apart from providing their assis

tance to ensure that there is proper conduct during these inspections, make sure that the individuals driving these vehicles are not doing so with criminal intent or do not have a criminal record. Officers from the Department of Immigration check that whoever is using these vehicles is not in the country illegally. DIER officers check that the workers who are driving these vehicles are provided with good working conditions, while officers from JobsPlus make sure that the employer registers his employees as required by law.

During the past few months, a series of inspections were carried out in different parts of the country. A total of 44 vehicles were stopped and 66 illegalities were noticed. One should note that a number of vehicles had more

than one illegality and were fined for these contraventions.

Some of the illegalities included tyres not being in good condition, lack of proper firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, vehicles not being in a good general condition, lacking a valid license and an expired insurance policy. Two vehicles had to be banned from use due to their very poor condition.

Patrick Pollacco, director in the Enforcement Unit at Transport Malta stressed the importance of constant investment in road safety. Pollacco thanked the workers for their diligence and help in conducting these inspections and also thanked other Departments and Disciplinary Forces for their work.