Sliema crash accused held Maltese licence despite having no residence permit

Imagine this: a busy Saturday afternoon in Sliema. The sun is out, and the streets are filled with locals and tourists alike, enjoying the warm weather. Suddenly, a car crashes into a crowd, leaving several injured. The driver, a 32-year-old man, is arrested. But here’s the twist: despite holding a Maltese driving licence, he didn’t have a residence permit. How did this happen?

According to sources close to the investigation, the man’s Maltese driving licence was issued in 2019. However, when authorities checked his residence status, they found no record of him holding a residence permit. This raises several questions: how was his licence issued without proof of residence? And how did he manage to maintain it for over two years?

Malta’s Road Transport Department, responsible for issuing driving licences, requires applicants to provide proof of residence. This is typically a utility bill or a rental agreement. In this case, it’s unclear how the man managed to bypass this requirement.

While the man’s licence has since been suspended, the incident has shed light on potential loopholes in Malta’s driving licence issuance process. Some argue that the system relies too heavily on self-declaration, making it easy for individuals to slip through the cracks.

Take, for instance, the case of foreign students. Many come to Malta to study, but not all register with the Maltese authorities. They might hold a foreign driving licence, which they can use here for a year before needing to convert it to a Maltese one. But what happens if they don’t register? And how do we ensure they have the necessary insurance and qualifications?

In light of this incident, calls for tighter controls and stricter enforcement have grown louder. Some propose linking driving licence issuance directly to residence registration, making it impossible to obtain one without proof of residence. Others suggest increasing random checks on drivers to ensure they hold valid licences and insurance.

Transport Malta, the authority responsible for road safety, has stated that they are looking into the matter and will be reviewing their procedures. They remind the public that driving without a valid licence or insurance is a serious offence, punishable by law.

As for the Sliema crash, the investigation is ongoing. The driver has been charged with reckless driving and causing injury by want of proper care and attention. The court will decide his fate, but one thing is clear: this incident has raised important questions about our driving licence system that need to be addressed.

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