Drivers who refused to use their seatbelts or had no licence, and some whose headlights were not working were among those pulled over by the police on New Year’s Eve.

Replying to questions sent on New Year’s Day, the police communication department said last week that different irregularities were spotted during road blocks across the island on the night – not just drink drivers.

The police established a number of the roadblocks in a bid to cut down on drink driving incidents as revellers drove back home from holiday celebrations.

Earlier this month the Times of Malta reported how, despite a promised crackdown, the traffic police had only carried out 11 breathalyser tests in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Just six drivers were found to be over the legal drink driving limit by traffic officers.

In their latest reply, the police added that a further three tests had also been conducted by members of the rapid intervention unit.

Police Superintendent Mario Tonna, who heads the traffic section – the motorcycle police, said last month there would be efforts to curb drink driving. That, he had said, would involve “lots” of breathalyser tests.

While few of these were actually carried out on the night, it turns out that officers did uncover a number of other irregularities.

The police said they had pulled over one car for using illegal tinted glass vehicle and another for illegal illumination.

One driver was pulled over for using a mobile phone while driving and another for failing to use indicators.

While one driver was on the road without a valid road licence, another had an expired driving licence and another was caught using a forged one.

Another had no insurance policy.

The number of irregularities show that officers did carry out rigorous roadblocks, however, it is not clear why the number of breathalyser tests were so low.

Figures compiled by the transport watchdog show that 15 per cent of all road fatalities were caused by drivers who had consumed excessive alcohol.