The introduction of a warning ticket for minor offences by motorists this month was a source of discussion for many. I have followed media reports, articles and comments from different individuals representing their views or the views of the entity they represent. I have taken note of all of these opinions, the absolute majority of which I must say were extremely valid and very well balanced in their arguments to sustain their position. 

Rather than answering the different opinions expressed in favour and against this initiative, my intention is to provide the context for the decision for such an initiative. 

For information purposes, I am including the warning tickets that have been issued for each of the six infringements identified through the initiative during the first week since its introduction: broken glass lights – six warning tickets, lights not in order – 44 warning tickets, illegal parking – 414 tickets, vehicle not fit to be used on the road – 45 tickets, defective silencer – four tickets, and licence not affixed – 388 tickets.

In its electoral manifesto of 2013, the Labour Party pledged to reform the local warden system.  We have carried out consultation exercises with all stakeholders and with the general public, and we proposed and started to implement a reform which, on the basis of the scenarios presented to us, was the right path to follow.

One can always discuss further. I’m more than sure that we can fine-tune the implementation phases of this reform to better reflect people’s aspirations. However, the reform was unarguably urgently needed. 

We made sure to select those offences that would have zero impact on potential road safety concerns

During the discussion phases of the reform, the following two concerns were repeatedly put forward: education and arbitrary decisions. 

One of the main transformations of this system was the creation of a training arm within Lesa to better prepare local wardens for their job, which I understand everyone agrees can be quite challenging. Educating our wardens is however only half of the exercise.  We also need to be better educated ourselves, both in our driving habits and, more importantly, in our behaviour with others.

The latest disturbing reports wherein two local wardens were allegedly assaulted by motorists confirms the urgent need for investing even more in a nationwide education campaign promoting respect and tolerance. It is simply unacceptable, irrespective of the merits of the particular cases, that in this day and age we still read of such deplorable conduct. Simply unacceptable. 

“Common sense is not so common,” Voltaire once preached.  And this is another issue that emerged on a recurrent basis during our consultation meetings.  Residents complaining that whereas maintaining discipline on the roads is essential, even more so in our country, where traffic and parking problems are of major concern, a certain level of practicality in the management of our roads is considered more beneficial to the challenging realities posed by this phenomenon.

The secret here is therefore to strive towards attaining the right balance, conducive to decreasing levels of stress on the road.

Easier said than done, one could argue.  However, keeping the status quo is not an option. An acceptable level of common sense could be part of the solution.

Keeping in mind the different realities put forward by our communities, together with the advice provided by experts in the field, we tried through this initiative to keep up this government’s momentum in addressing traffic challenges in our localities. 

We made sure to select those offences that would have zero impact on potential road safety concerns and give our motorists a chance, one chance, to rectify any small irregularities they might have committed.

We believe that this attitude will improve the rapport between the parties concerned and be beneficial to the whole system.

By doing so, we are sending a clear message that while we consider the respect of the rule law to be a fundamental pillar of a civilised society, within the parameters of that same rule of law, we are ready to address the concerns and expectations of our communities in the common interest.

Stefan Buontempo is Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.