While carrying out spot checks as part of a Europe-wide initiative, the Malta Police Force found a school van being driven by a man who had a revoked driver’s license and no valid insurance.

Last week, the Malta Police Force joined European law enforcement agencies in the RoadPol (European Roads Policing Network) initiative, called the RoadPol Seat Belt Pan-European Operation.

A police statement said that through traffic enforcement inspections on various roads, conducted both in the morning and afternoon, the focus was on seat belt use, particularly in school vans.

During these inspections, 64 school vans were stopped, with police officers speaking to children about the importance of wearing seat belts, even as passengers.

They said that seat belts should not only be worn on school transport but also when traveling in cars with their parents or guardians.

Police officers also spoke to the drivers of these vans, explaining that not only are they required to wear seat belts as drivers, but they also have a duty to ensure that the children wear them before and while they are driving.

During these checks, a van driver was found driving with a revoked license and without valid insurance, the statement said.

The police prevented him from continuing the journey with the schoolchildren and contacted their parents to pick them up.

The driver and the van company owner are now under investigation and will face charges.

As part of the RoadPol Seat Belt Pan-European Operation, approximately 350 vehicles were stopped, and 104 fines were issued to drivers and/or passengers who were not wearing seat belts, along with several other citations for traffic violations.

The statement said that studies have shown that seat belt use significantly reduces fatalities in car accidents. It said that seat belts provide greater protection and lower the risk of fatal injuries, particularly for children.

 “Always wear your seat belt on every trip, in every vehicle, it can save a life!” the police statement said.