New transport fines leaked on social media. But they're not quite right

A leaked document suggesting that fines for traffic conventions are about to be raised dramatically is not set in stone and is not the finalised version that will eventually be passed into law, sources have said. 

The image of a document began doing the rounds of social media on Friday and picked up steam on Saturday morning, being widely shared over platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

According to the paper, fines for some traffic contraventions will be rising as much as tenfold. 

Using a phone while driving, the paper suggests, will carry a €300 fine - up from the current €100. Fines for dangerous driving will skyrocket from €11.65 to €200, while driving a motorcycle without a helmet will carry a €100 fine (from €11.65).  

While some commenters bristled at the idea of being exposed to higher fees, others welcomed the news of harsher penalties, particularly in the context of Malta’s roads continuing to be plagued by tragic road fatalities. 

The leaked document doing the rounds on social media

Not the real deal

A source within the Transport Ministry said that the document was not a forgery, but said the paper was part of an internal ongoing discussion within Transport Malta to...