President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has revoked the permit issued by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to use a specific area of Hulhumale' for drifting and racing. The permit was issued on October 19, 2023 was revoked as part of the administration's efforts to tackle reckless driving and ensure road safety.
Taking to social media on Friday evening, President Muizzu shared details of eight stringent measures to ensure road safety, instructing all relevant institutions to strictly implement the measures. He added that these instructions are essential for safeguarding residential areas from the disturbance of vehicles by modifying the vehicles and preventing the noise from becoming a public nuisance.
The eight measures instructed by the President are as follows:-
- Amend laws and regulations to penalise speeding and reckless driving and implement strict actions against such drivers nationwide to make roads safe for everyone
- Immediately revoking the permit issued by HDC on 19 October 2023 to use a specific area of Hulhumalé for drifting and racing
- Stopping vehicles that violate the speed limit, confiscating the driver's licence and impounding the vehicles to police custody
- Amend laws and regulations to prohibit road vehicles with a specific cc (horsepower) and above from being used on public roads
- Amend laws and regulations to forbid the import of such devices, thereby preventing the operation of loud noise-producing vehicles equipped with modified silencers
- Expedite the execution of the plan that the Maldives Police Service submitted to the HDC. The Maldives Police Service (MPS) proposed the installation of speed breakers and speed detection cameras in 150 areas of Hulhumalé.
- Introduction of a graduating license system and deduction of points from traffic violators' driving licenses.
- Expand and strengthen the MPS’ efforts to enforce traffic laws and regulations.
The President in his post stated that he is determined to implement the instructions given to the institutions to control and regulate speeding and reckless driving and prevent the recurrence of tragic road accidents. He stated that the implementation of the measures and their outcomes will be carefully monitored.
President Muizzu ordered all relevant authorities to implement the necessary legal amendments to enforce stringent measures against speeding and reckless driving following the tragic death of a 23-year-old individual in an accident. President Dr. Muizzu reiterated the government's commitment in ensuring that the roads are a safe place for all individuals and prevent the speeding of vehicles.