Tests to start next week
More than 3,000 reports received so far
Twenty vehicle owners will be summoned to the first car emission tests next week as the Malta Transport Authority responds to a flood of SMS reports.
Tests will be carried out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with priority being given to vehicles that have been reported several times, an ADT spokesman told The Times.
Over 3,000 reports were filed until Wednesday - about 375 a day - since the ADT's SMS 4 Clean Air Campaign was launched last week.
Most people sending in text messages have reported between one and three vehicles, while 135 individuals have reported an average of five. Some people have evidently relished the chance to assume the role of traffic wardens - one person sent over 25 reports.
Motorists and commuters are being urged to send a text message to 5061 1899 with the registration number of the vehicle belching out harmful smoke.
The vehicle will be called in for an inspection and an emission test. If it fails the test, a fine of Lm20 will be issued.
The owner must then fix the vehicle within one week and take it back for subsequent emission tests. Further failures will result in licence restriction and more fines.
The ADT spokesman was not in a position to say whether buses and large vehicles were among those that have been summoned for inspection.
The system is devised in such a way to carry out its own checks drivers are sent for, particularly to avoid pranks. Text messages have to be backed up by at least two other SMS reports for the authority to send for the reported car.
Several people have been critical of the campaign, saying the public should not be doing traffic wardens' work.
When contacted, however, Kenneth DeMartino, general manager of Guard and Warden Services Ltd, said there were several misconceptions about the wardens' role in this respect. While wardens were meant to ensure cars were in line with the motor vehicle regulations, it was the ADT that was responsible for vehicle roadworthiness tests. Mr DeMartino said that several local wardens were in fact now making use of the SMS system themselves.
"With the existing legislation, wardens could only fine vehicles that they believed were belching excessive smoke and then try their luck at the tribunal. "And unless they have a witness or photographs, it often boils down to their word against the driver's," Mr DeMartino explained.
The statistics prove the reluctance of wardens to fine those vehicles emitting smoke. Only about 100 drivers were fined for this contravention last year.