Heavy Vehicles Banned Near Schools During Malé School Start and End Hours

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has prohibited the driving of goods vehicles and heavy vehicles in the Malé area during the hours when schools start and end, in a move aimed at protecting the safety and security of students and guardians. In an announcement released today, the ministry said it had decided to take special measures to make the roads of the Malé area comfortable and safe for pedestrians and for those who drive vehicles. Accordingly, on school days, at the times when schools commonly start and end, driving heavy vehicles and carrying goods in such vehicles in areas where schools are located is prohibited. The banned hours are from 06:00 to 08:30 in the morning and from 11:30 in the morning to 01:30 in the afternoon. During those times, driving is prohibited for goods vehicles above 350 kilos and heavy vehicles such as forklifts, trucks, cranes and trailers. These vehicles may travel only on Malé's Boduthakurufaanu Magu during those hours. Driving on Malé's internal roads, Hulhumalé's roads, as well as the Sinamalé Bridge and highway, is also prohibited during that period. The ministry appealed to those who drive such vehicles to fully respect the instruction and comply with those hours. It also made clear that measures will be taken under the land transport law against those who violate the instruction. On last Tuesday, Transport Minister Muhammad Saeed said that work is underway to ensure heavy vehicles are not driven during certain times. He said four months have passed since the ministry began consulting with traders to set certain times for driving heavy vehicles, and that the work is aimed at bringing about a solution acceptable to many people. While the Malé area is congested with vehicles, many people note that driving heavy vehicles at the hours when traffic becomes heavy is dangerous. There have also previously occurred dangerous accidents involving people being hit by such vehicles.