A new bill has been submitted to the parliament, which seeks tougher penalties for traffic violations, with the aim of strengthening road safety laws and tightening consequences for dangerous driving. Introduced on behalf of the Government by Kurendhoo MP, the proposed legislation sets out wide-ranging reforms to improve vehicle regulation and enforce traffic rules more effectively.

The bill includes measures to streamline vehicle registration processes, enforce clearer responsibilities for authorities, and enhance overall road safety management. It also requires the President to prepare a national road transport strategy and proposes establishing a seven-member Road Safety and Traffic Management Advisory Committee to oversee safety standards and policy direction.

Among its provisions, the bill allows the Maldives to issue international driving permits and recognises valid licences issued by countries that are parties to the International Convention on Road Traffic. It further outlines the powers of traffic police, including their authority to manage illegally parked vehicles.

A major focus of the bill is its strict penalties for reckless and dangerous driving. Causing a fatal accident would be classified as a criminal offence punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Serious injury would carry penalties of 10 to 15 years, while accidents causing harm would result in 5 to 10 years of imprisonment. Convicted drivers would have their licences revoked and could only reapply after completing their sentence and fulfilling requirements set by the transport ministry.

The legislation also addresses other offences such as allowing a child or unlicensed person to drive, giving control of a vehicle to a passenger, using a revoked vehicle, failing to transfer ownership after a vehicle sale, driving without paying annual fees, and failing to meet road safety standards. Accidents involving children or unlicensed drivers may also result in imprisonment.

If passed, the law would require all related regulations to be published within six months of coming into force. The bill was unanimously accepted by MPs present at the parliamentary sitting.