Changes to Land Transport Act will bring considerable changes: police

While an amendment bill to the Land Transport Act is currently at the People’s Majlis, Maldives Police Service has said that it will bring considerable changes.

Sub-Inspector of Police, Mohamed Naeem, said this during an appearance on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee show on Wednesday night, adding that he hopes that the changes to the law will strengthen the institution’s work.

Highlighting the high number of individuals operating vehicles without the required license and parking violations, Naeem noted that there are individuals that continue to do so without paying the fines imposed.

However, he highlighted that the amendments they are seeking includes “a solution for this as well.”

Naeem added that there are a high number of cases of parking violations, driving with headset and speeding, and stressed that this is dangerous to others as well as a hindrance.

Speaking on those driving without a license, Sub-Inspector of Police Ahmed Mohamed noted that just passing the driving test is not enough and that individuals must act accordingly as well.

While there has been multiple road safety awareness programmes in the country, the inspector further stated that there should “an individual responsibility” adding that these programmes “are a waste” otherwise.

Mohamed further called for the public’s cooperation in the police’s work.

The first reading of the government-endorsed amendment bill to the Land Transport Act was held in late November. It aims to increase road safety, introduce relevant laws to stop ongoing violations and to strengthen regulations. The bill also seeks to establish a road safety council, which will comprise of officials from six government institutions; from two ministries, Maldives Transport Authority, police, Attorney General’s Office and the Local Government Authority (LGA).