Majlis Judiciary Committee to Summon Traffic Police Over Rising Serious Road Accidents in Malé

The People's Majlis Judiciary Committee has decided to summon the Traffic Police in connection with the issue of increasing serious road accidents in the Malé area. The decision was taken at a committee meeting held on 14 October 2026, following a letter sent to the Speaker of the People's Majlis, Abdurrahim Abdulla, by MDP Member Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), who represents the Galolhu North constituency, seeking a permanent solution to the issue. In his letter, Member Kudu highlighted actions that could be taken within the Majlis to press relevant institutions to take the necessary measures to ensure road safety. He pointed out that the increase in serious road incidents has created fear among the general public, that young people have lost their lives, and that incidents causing permanent disability have increased. He said obstacles were arising to securing justice in such cases, and noted that on 4 August 2025 he had proposed that a joint hearing be held by the People's Majlis Committee on Security Services and the Judiciary Committee, but that no solution had been found to the matter so far. Among the proposals put forward by the Member were holding a public forum to obtain the general public's views on serious road incidents, and summoning the heads of relevant institutions before the committee to clarify information. These institutions include the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the Maldives Police Service, and the Office of the Prosecutor General. In addition, the Member urged the introduction of the amendments needed to the Land Transport Act of the Maldives. In that regard, he proposed increasing the penalties imposed in fatal accidents caused by dangerous driving, revoking licences, and establishing a system under which the licences of those who repeatedly violate the rules can be permanently retained. He also pointed out the importance of establishing an insurance system that guarantees compensation to parties injured in accidents. The Member's letter further stated that it is important to set specific deadlines to expedite accident investigations and trials. He also asked relevant agencies to arrange the budget and resources needed to install speed-monitoring cameras and automatic enforcement systems to stop speeding in Malé and Hulhumalé. Member Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) said the proposals were put forward to protect the lives and property of the people and to gain public confidence in the road justice system, and requested the assistance of the Speaker of the Majlis in finding a swift solution to the issue. After the issue was referred to the Judiciary Committee, during the committee's meeting held today in connection with it, Ibrahim Nazil, MDP Member for the Hithadhoo South constituency, proposed that Traffic Police be summoned before the committee, saying that because the traffic problem in the Malé area had not been resolved, the safety and security of people driving vehicles was not assured. He also said that as a result, many families had been devastated and impoverished by accidents. Pointing out that major steps had already been taken to resolve traffic problems and reduce accidents, including amendments to the laws, Nazil said that the new law recently enacted had also established a National Road Safety Council for this purpose. He said that while the council includes the Minister of Transport, the Deputy Minister of Finance, the Home Minister, the Housing Minister and the Commissioner of Police, it must be seen what the council is doing with the Cabinet's most senior ministers on it. Member for Timarafushi Ahmed Riyaz said that foreigners violate the rules more than Maldivians. The Member also noted that roads in the Malé area are places with cameras, and that although ways exist to monitor traffic problems, the police are not doing so adequately. MDP Member for Kandithi Ameen Faisal, pointing out that the police are not managing traffic, said that even the most recent tragic accident occurred while a married couple had gone out to spend a happy time. He said it was not an accident that took place on a road where vehicles are driven at high speed. However, he said that the person arrested in connection with that case had been arrested for the fifth time in accidents of that kind, and that having to arrest a person five times in the same type of matter showed that the laws made for that purpose were not being enforced.