‘One moment can change everything’: VP Latheef urges drivers to act responsibly as accident numbers continue to climb

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has warned that reckless and dangerous driving can change lives “forever in a moment,” urging all road users to follow traffic rules responsibly for their own safety and the safety of others.

In a post on social media, the Vice President said it is the personal responsibility of every citizen to use the roads safely, describing it as one of the most important contributions individuals can make to the security and wellbeing of the community.

He stressed that a single moment of negligence can have irreversible consequences. “Reckless and dangerous driving can change your life and the lives of others forever,” he said, calling on the public to prioritise caution and discipline on the roads.

Latheef noted that the number of traffic accidents in Male' continues to rise, with the Sinamale' Bridge and the Highway among the most accident‑prone areas. He added that Addu City and Fuvahmulah also report a significant number of serious accidents.

According to police statistics, traffic accidents reported in April this year increased by 12 percent compared to the same month last year. A total of 874 cases were reported in April, most of them related to road accidents.

Police recorded 3,076 traffic accidents last year, while 1,064 cases have been reported so far this year.