A bill proposing severe penalties for traffic offences has been submitted to the People’s Majlis on behalf of the Government by Kurendhoo MP, aiming to strengthen road safety laws and introduce stricter consequences for dangerous driving.

The proposed legislation outlines a wide range of measures to regulate vehicle registration, enforce traffic rules, and introduce clearer responsibilities for enforcement authorities. Under the bill, the President would be required to formulate a national road transport strategy, while a seven-member Road Safety and Traffic Management Advisory Committee would be established to oversee policy and safety standards.

The bill also includes provisions allowing the issuance of international driving permits in the Maldives. It states that vehicles driven with a valid licence issued by a party to the International Convention on Road Traffic (ICT) will be recognised in the country. Additional sections specify the powers of traffic police, including procedures for dealing with illegally parked vehicles.

A large portion of the bill focuses on punishment for reckless and dangerous driving. Causing a fatal accident would become a criminal offence carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while accidents resulting in serious injury would carry 10 to 15 years, and accidents causing harm would result in 5 to 10 years of imprisonment. Drivers convicted under these provisions would have their licences revoked, with reissuance permitted only upon completion of the sentence and further processing by the transport ministry.

The bill lists several other offences, including allowing a child or unlicensed person to drive, handing over control of a moving vehicle to a passenger, using a revoked vehicle, failing to transfer ownership after selling a vehicle, driving without paying annual fees, and failing to meet road safety requirements. Accidents involving a child or unlicensed driver may also lead to imprisonment.

If passed, the law would require all relevant regulations to be published within six months of the Act coming into force. The bill was accepted into Parliament with the unanimous support of MPs present at the sitting.