RAM urges not to punish entire racing community for actions of a few

Racing Association of Maldives (RAM) has expressed concern over the government’s decision to reclaim the area allocated for racing and drifting in Hulhumalé.

RAM revealed that they are working sustainably to conduct such activities safely and in accordance with regulations in the Maldives.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, RAM stressed that they have been dedicated to promoting safe and regulated motorsport in the Maldives.

Noting that 307 athletes participate in controlled events to showcase their skills, RAM stated that these athletes make sure they adhere to strict guidelines.

Further, RAM highlighted that they will be held accountable for any violations.

The association stressed that they have worked hard to foster a culture of responsible driving.

This said, the association noted that an unfortunate accident involving a sports car shouldn't jeopardize the careers of these individuals or the future of racing.

RAM further called to work jointly to ensure road safety for all, while supporting the passion and talent of their community.

RAM also revealed that they are investigating an illegal street racing incident and seeking the details of individuals, teams, and circumstances surrounding the accident.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu recently reversed his promise made for the racing and drifting community and enforced strict measures to be taken against speeding vehicles, in the wake of a fatal accident that took a life in Hulhumalé on Friday.

The president announced that he has instructed relevant authorities to take steps to control vehicles speeding illegally, control the use of vehicles that have been modified or are inherently loud when driven, and to protect residential areas. He said that the implementation of these measures and their results will be closely monitored by the government.

The instructions given to relevant institutions to make Maldivian roads safer include amending laws and regulations to implement strict measures against those who speed, in order to make roads safe for everyone to use, immediately revoking the permission granted by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on 19 October 2023, for the racing and drifting community to use a specific area in Hulhumalé, immediately stop vehicles exceeding the speed limit and take the driver’s license and vehicle into police custody, as well as amending laws and regulations to prohibit the use of land vehicles above a certain CC (horsepower) on public roads.

Shortly after, Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Fazul Rasheed announced that the permission granted to the Racing and Drift Association to use a specific area in Hulhumalé on 19 October 2023, has been revoked and that the association has been notified of this decision.

Further, the president has instructed to amend the laws and regulations to ban the import of equipment used to modify vehicle silencers to make them louder, in order to prevent noisy driving on roads and to expedite the implementation of the plan proposed by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) to HDC, for organizing and regulating the streets of Hulhumalé. This includes installing speed breakers in 150 areas of Hulhumalé and setting up speed detecting cameras as suggested by the police.

The president also instructed to introduce a graduated licensing system and begin deducting points from the licenses of those who drive vehicles in violation of regulations, as well as to enhance and strengthen the efforts of the MPS in enforcing road laws and regulations more than the current level.

This comes in the wake of the death of Hassan Samaah, 23. Samaah was the victim of a speeding racing car that hit him near Hulhumalé Central Park while he was riding a motorcycle.

Establishing international standard racing tracks in the Greater Malé Region, North Development Zone, and South Development Zone is one of the incumbent president’s presidential pledges.

During the presidential election, the president stated that drifting is currently a rapidly growing activity.

As such, he noted that drifting, like racing, is a popular activity among young people, and emphasized that what is needed is more space.

The president said they would first start in the GMR, because it has not expanded that much, “yet”.

Back then, the president assured youth that his administration would establish a designated stadium for drifting.