Maltese support call for new EU legislationItem Added 07 January 2008The Maltese government supports Eurosparks calls for new EU legislation to increase foreign registered vehicle compliance with national parking and driving laws.
Deputy Prime Minister the Honorable Dr Tonio Borg, who is also Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, opened the Eurosparks seminar in Valletta on 23 November and took an active interest in the discussions.
“The audience agreed with the need for a new Europe-wide directive under Article 71 of the EC Treaty,” said seminar organiser Daniela Grech, InRoads project manager. “They also made a number of practical solutions which were discussed within our local context. It is local councils that deal with enforcement of traffic regulations within their local jurisdiction.”
One delegate suggested on the spot payment of fines, another suggested clamping foreign registered vehicles, while another suggested people traveling by car should provide their hotel or lodging details and that the fine be sent to the person at that address giving them 48 hours to contest the fine in court.
“Their ideas were that Maltese nationals would not be disadvantaged since non-nationals would still be fined, but at the same time the latter would not themselves be discriminated against since they would have the same opportunity as the Maltese to contest the fine in front of a court or tribunal,” explained Daniela.
“Other delegates were concerned that these suggestions would go against the freedom of movement principle that is part and parcel of EU membership.”
Eurosparks Malta seminar was held at Villa Bighi, an historical building dating back to the 17th century that was used as a naval hospital during both world wars. Delegates came from a number of local councils, the Malta Transport Authority and the Local Councils Association. |
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Facts & Figures- 330,000 penalty charge notices worth £12.9 million are issued to foreign-registered vehicles in London each year for parking and other contraventions
- 1 in 8 foreign registered vehicle owners fails to pay their congestion charge
- A third of persistent evaders (three or more PCN’s) are foreign-registered vehicles
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