Reckless driving, potentially harmful actions to be classified as crimes
Meekail proposes to define reckless driving as a crime in the Maldives Penal Code
MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem speaking at a parliament sitting.
MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem, has proposed to define reckless driving and actions that may cause injury as crimes, in the Penal Code.
In his closing remarks regarding the proposed amendment to the Maldives Penal Code, MP Meekail stated that the bill was submitted because although Article 121 of the current Penal Code defines actions that may cause injury due to negligence as a crime, subsection (b) of that article does not include situations related to driving motor vehicles recklessly and without regard for the lives of road users, in violation of traffic regulations, among the circumstances considered as negligent acts that could result in death or serious bodily injury to a person. As a result, there are challenges in taking appropriate measures through the criminal justice system against those involved in accidents caused by driving motor vehicles in a frightening or dangerous manner. In addition to this, the lawmaker said that one of the objectives is to amend the current situation where justice is not served to victims of accidents caused by reckless driving in violation of traffic regulations.
Further, MP Meekail stated that the objectives include making amendments to the Penal Code to define reckless driving of land vehicles as a separate offense, in order to facilitate action through the criminal justice system against those who drive vehicles dangerously and in violation of general standards set under the Land Transport Act.
The lawmaker noted that the bill includes two main points.
He stated that under the current law, it is difficult to prove the offense in court. As such, reckless driving is not considered a crime if no one is injured or killed as a result of the offense. However, with the proposed amendment, actions such as overtaking in a manner that endangers people's lives, driving above the speed limit, and driving on wrong lanes will be defined as separate offenses with specific punishments, regardless of whether someone is injured or not.
MP Meekail expressed hope that the People’s Majlis will do a good job considering all aspects when seeking consultation during the committee stage. He requested that the bill's work be carried out without political bias, including the involvement of all relevant parties during the committee stage.
