The Malta Police said that during inspections carried out on school vans checking the use of safety belts, one of the drivers stopped was found operating a school van despite having his license revoked and lacking an insurance policy.
He was not allowed to continue driving with schoolchildren, and the police said that they contacted the parents to arrange for the children’s pickup.
Police said that the driver and the owner of the van company are under investigation, and charges will be issued against them.
The inspections were carried out across Malta and Gozo as part of the Roadpol – European Roads Policing Network initiative across Europe, emphasising the importance of wearing a seat belt.
During the initiative, Police advised that approximately 64 school vans were stopped, and police officers spoke to children about the importance of wearing seat belts, both in the school van and when travelling in cars with their parents or guardians.
In total, during this week, the police stopped 350 vehicles, and 104 contraventions were issued to drivers and/or passengers not wearing safety belts.
Photo: Malta Police