Depending on the speed at which a vehicle travels, it's bodymass invariably creates a vacuum in its wake. This is especially so of vehicles having a flat rear profile, such as pick-up trucks, vans, high fastback cars, as well as some cars with a high luggage compartment. This results in a mixture of rain, mud, and other slush adhering to the backs of said vehicles, resulting in the obscuring of the entire rear of the vehicles, thereby rendering a vehicle's rear license plate illegible. In case anyone was not aware, an obstructed or illegible licence plate is a traffic violation and the owner is liable for paying a monetary fine.

The above is even more prevalent on Gozo's notorious badly designed and uneven roads, where a mix of standing water and roadside mud is common after a heavy downpour. So what is a warden to do when he/she cannot read the rear license plate of a vehicle? Not to worry, wardens are trained to note the front license number of an approaching vehicle, just in case the unsuspecting motorist can be had for any traffic infringement, including driving a vehicle with illegible or obstructed rear license plates.

Yes, any infringement! Except that of exceeding the speed limit. They're quick, but not that quick!