Horses on the roads to be banned during peak hours

Unlicensed horses and horse-drawn vehicles will now be made illegal on the roads between 7am and 9am, 4pm to 6pm, except on Saturdays, Sundays and national and public holidays.The new Legal Notice, a draft copy of which had been leaked to sister newspaper Illum, not only regulates the times when horses and unlicensed horse-drawn carriages can be used, but it even stipulates the maximum price that drivers can charge for a traditional karozzin ride.

The maximum price of such rides has been set at €35 for the first half-hour of the ride and at a maximum of an additional euro per minute after the first half hour. Any drivers who break this rule may be punished with a maximum €250 fine.

Licenses will not be issued if the applicant does not present an identity document of the animal issued by a certified veterinary. It will not be issued also on the basis of whether the horse-drawing vehicle is covered by an insurance policy.

The legal notice also stipulates that number plates must be clearly visible at all times, while the driver has to wear a highly visible vest while on the road.

The insurance must indentify the persons  specified in the policy in respect of any liability in respect of the death or bodily injury to any person, or damage to any property caused by the animal or animal-drawn vehicle  for a total liability of not less than €250,000.

The animal must also be kept in good shape, fit and capable to draw the vehicle.

It also established that a biodegradable chemical is to be poured over animal urine by drivers so as to break down and eliminate accumulated agents and odours.

Operators and drivers of karrozzini are required to keep karrozzin stands clean at all times and shall ensure that such stands are provided with a constant supply of fresh water.