Parliament has passed a new Land Transport Bill aimed at improving road transport and mobility in the Greater Malé area, while establishing a dedicated fund for transport-related initiatives.

The bill, submitted by Hoarafushi constituency MP Ali Moosa on behalf of the Government, provides for the establishment of a government office named the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office under the relevant ministry.

The new office will oversee transport and mobility policies and programmes in the Greater Malé area, including measures to address traffic congestion and other challenges affecting the road transport system.

Under the bill, the office will determine the maximum number of vehicles that may be registered in Malé and other cities and inhabited islands, following studies and recommendations from the National Road Safety Council.

A traffic management centre will also be established in Malé within six months of the law coming into force.

The legislation further establishes a Land Transport Mobility Fund. The fund will receive vehicle registration and licensing fees, annual vehicle and multiple ownership fees, fines imposed for violations of the law and related regulations, as well as any allocations approved by Parliament through the State budget.

The bill also introduces penalties for unsafe driving and other offences. Driving a vehicle negligently or dangerously will carry a fine of between MVR 25,000 and MVR 100,000. If the offence causes injury, the fine will increase to between MVR 100,000 and MVR 500,000, with the possibility of criminal prosecution.

Allowing a vehicle to be controlled by a child or an unlicensed person, or handing control of a vehicle to a passenger, will also constitute an offence.

Vehicles may be impounded by traffic police if fines of MVR 5,000 or more remain unpaid. If outstanding fines are not settled within 72 hours of impoundment, the vehicle may be placed under police custody.

Vehicles that remain unclaimed for one month will be publicly listed, and their details will also be published through the Maldives Police Service. Owners will then be given a further 30 days to reclaim their vehicles. If they fail to do so, the vehicles may be sold through a public auction or otherwise disposed of as authorised by law.