Police report significant drop in accidents in Malé and Hulhumalé following special operation

The Maldives Police Service has reported a significant decrease in road accidents in Malé and Hulhumalé, attributing the improvement to a special operation that increased police presence on the roads. According to the latest operational statistics, accidents decreased by 36 percent in Hulhumalé and 17 percent in Malé under the "Operation Reckless Driving," which began on 8 October 2026 under the guidance of the Commissioner of Police. The police said that accidents were reduced by 43 compared to the 117 accidents that occurred in the 20 days before the operation, with a total of 74 accidents reported during the 20 days after its launch. In Malé, accidents dropped from 128 between 21 September and 7 October to 106 between 8 October and 24 October, a decrease of approximately 17.2 percent. As part of the operation conducted in Hulhumalé, a total of 3,151 vehicles were checked between 8 October and 27 October, including 2,800 motorcycles and 351 four-wheeled vehicles. The police emphasized that the aim was not just to impose fines and tow vehicles, but to prioritize stopping dangers before they occur and raising public awareness. Of those checked, 808 parties, comprising 735 motorcycles and 73 four-wheeled vehicles, were given advice and counseling instead of legal action. However, 23 vehicles driven dangerously were fined, 85 parties without appropriate driving licenses were fined, and 145 vehicles were towed. In Malé, action was taken against 600 cases of speeding and 19 cases of dangerous driving. Thirteen parties who repeatedly drove dangerously were advised, and information on 23 individuals from various companies and institutions who sped was shared with those entities. Additionally, action was taken against 371 cases of incomplete vehicle requirements and 171 cases of illegal parking. The police said that the success of these operations was largely due to the public's compliance with road rules and support for police checkpoints, and appealed to all parties to always prioritize road safety and security.