Minister blames insurance after driving car with expired licence

Gozo minister Anton Refalo was involved in a traffic accident when he collided into another car being driven by a police officer. But it turned out that Refalo’s insurance and car licence had not been renewed.

Refalo confirmed with MaltaToday that he was involved in the 16 March car accident, during which his private car had neither been insured nor was it covered by a valid car licence.

“I was involved in a car accident that did not lead to any injuries. I took the initiative to contact the police, who took all the necessary details,” Anton Refalo told MaltaToday.

“A day later I was informed by the Superintendent of Police that my car licence and insurance had not been renewed or paid. Nonetheless I later confirmed that my insurance had in fact been paid but my insurance agency had failed to process the car licence renewal with the transport authority.

“As a result the police will issue a police ticket for this traffic contravention.”

Correspondence seen by MaltaToday shows that the police sought the advice of the Attorney General on how to proceed on the case.

Attorney General Peter Grech informed the Commissioner of Police that since the insurance fee was paid six days before the accident, the only offence was the failure to have a renewed driver’s licence.

Cassar instructed the police in Gozo to follow the AG’s advice and issue a fine.