Six traffic contraventions will not lead to a traffic booking by wardens at the first offence as from tomorrow, the government has announced. Each subsequent contravention will lead to a fine.

However, this new approach will only be open in cases where traffic wardens notice the infringement; police officers can still hand down a fine at the first opportunity.

The measure will apply for defective lights, damaged lights, road licence not affixed to the windscreen, defective silencer, vehicle not in good condition (such as missing side mirrors, front grille or mudguard) and in certain cases of illegal parking.

Addressing a news conference, Parliamentary Secretary Stefano Buontempo said these changes were being introduced in response to people's feedback.  

 "This government does not consider wardens as a money making machine and our aim is to give motorists a second chance in cases of minor offences," he said. 

He noted that since the Local Enforcement System Agency was set up in 2015, the total number of tickets issued for the six types of contraventions was 28,000. 

In a presentation, LESA head Ray Zammit pointed out that in case of illegal parking involving the obstruction of a garage, a space dedicated for blue badge holders, or when a vehicle was obstructing the road, fines will be issued immediately.

In the case of unloading bays, warnings would only apply if the driver is close to the car and the vehicle in question was not obstructing a commercial vehicle.