A six-fold increase in the number of foreign-registered vehicles removed from the road for flouting traffic laws has been registered this summer, according to official police figures.
The police removed 101 foreign cars from the roads between July and August, more than the total of the previous 12-month period in which they had towed away 87 vehicles. This means that on average the number of cars impounded per month increased from seven to 50.
In the majority of cases the cars either had no road licence affixed, were not insured, or had been imported as second-hand vehicles. In the latter case, owners did not register them within the 30-day period established by law.
The crackdown came in the wake of criticism that the authorities had been turning a blind eye to foreign cars in breach of the law, especially in tourist areas.
A Facebook Group titled ‘Carpark Paradise’ – set up in July with the intention of flagging traffic contraventions involving foreign cars – has gained huge popularity and to date counts more than 2,200 members.
Owners are fined for all the daily expenses incurred for the towing and the storage space taken up
Replying to questions, a police spokesman said the cars had been impounded in line with Subsidiary Legislation 65.13.
Once they are towed away to the police garage in Notre Dame Ditch in Floriana, the details of these cars are published in the Government Gazette. However, if they are not reclaimed by their owners within a month, the transport watchdog, the police or the local council may dispose of the vehicles and even sell them to cover the expenses.
On the other hand, if the owners decide to retrieve their car they must either register it with Transport Malta or send it back to their country at their own expense.
Furthermore, when owners retrieve their vehicles they are fined for all the daily expenses incurred for the towing and the storage space taken up, the police pointed out.
They added that owners who had a permanent residence permit would also be facing criminal proceedings.