Wardens to test vehicle exhaust

Local wardens will soon be able to carry out emissions tests on vehicles using portable testing equipment, the Malta Transport Authority said yesterday.

On-the-spot fines will be issued when excessive exhaust fumes are being emitted.

Some 360 cars have failed the vehicle emissions test carried out at the authority's garage since its Emissions Alert campaign kicked off last August.

The authority said 18 per cent of the 2,000 vehicles checked for emissions failed the test.

The authority has received more than 56,000 SMS reports in the campaign since August and the owners of 3,000 vehicles were called in to test their vehicles. Only vehicles on which three or more reports are received are tested.

The 1,000 vehicles whose owners have not yet taken them in for the test will not be issued with a road licence until they do, the authority said. Last month alone, more than 4,700 text message reports were received.

The text message campaign was launched to increase awareness among motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians about the negative impact of emissions from vehicles on both health and the environment.

Motorists who are called in for the test are encouraged to fix mechanical problems beforehand in order to avoid a fine and the need to test their vehicle again. Members of the public may send a text message with the registration number of any vehicle emitting noxious fumes on 5061 1899. Each message costs 2c for both Vodafone and go mobile subscribers.

Due to refurbishment being carried out at the Emissions Test Centre in Floriana, the testing garage has been temporarily re-located to St Andrews.