News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — Lawmakers in the Maldives have introduced a bill that would, for the first time, make reckless driving a criminal offense, carrying penalties as severe as 20 years in prison if such driving results in death. The proposal comes amid a sharp rise in traffic accidents across Greater Malé, where congested roads and bridge have become increasingly perilous.
Police data show that more than 1,000 accidents were recorded nationwide in the first quarter of 2025, with Malé City alone accounting for 561 incidents. Hulhumalé Phase 2 reported 454 accidents during the same period, while Villimalé and Velana International Airport saw smaller numbers. The figures represent a steep increase from the same quarter in 2024, when 831 accidents were recorded.
Under the proposed legislation, driving recklessly or dangerously within the traffic system would be defined as a criminal act. If a person dies as a result, the offender could face up to 20 years in prison. Serious injury would carry a sentence of 10 to 15 years, while non-serious injury could result in five to 10 years. The bill also stipulates that handing over control of a vehicle that leads to a fatal accident would be punishable by 20 years in prison.
Currently, the Road Traffic Act imposes only fines for reckless driving, and fatalities or serious injuries are prosecuted under other laws. Lawmakers say this gap has left victims without adequate justice and has failed to deter dangerous behaviour on the roads.
The government argues that the measure would bring Maldivian law in line with international standards, where reckless driving is treated as a criminal offense rather than a minor violation. If passed, the bill would mark a historic shift in road safety enforcement, signalling that dangerous driving is no longer a matter of administrative fines but a crime with severe consequences.
