Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has made an amendment to the land transportation act stating that the horn on vehicles should only be used to avoid danger.

Published yesterday, the new amendment also states that the use of horns near mosques, schools and colleges are prohibited.

The amendment also states that aside from emergency vehicles, all other vehicles should have their factory horns and any change or modifications to it are prohibited as well.

Transport Ministry said that driving with the mobile phone in hand or with the passenger holding a phone to the driver's ear is strictly prohibited and such people would face a fine of MVR 500 on the first offense and a fine of MVR 750 with a 48 hour suspension of their driver's license on a second violation. A third violation carries a fine of MVR 1,000 with a 48 hour suspension of their driver's license.

The Transportation Ministry is also authorized enact a fine of MVR 6,000 and a year long suspension of the driver's license for repeated dangerous driving.

The new amendment also states that neither the drivers nor the passengers should be engaged in any form of smoking.