Police say accidents dropped 36% after intensified road operations

The number of road traffic accidents has dropped by 36 percent following intensified enforcement efforts, the Maldives Police Service has said. 

According to the latest operational statistics, police described the results as “very promising,” noting a significant decline in accidents during the period of increased road patrols.

Police said accidents fell sharply under Operation Reckless Driving, launched on August 8 under the direction of the Commissioner of Police. In the past 20 days, accidents decreased by 36 percent compared to the previous 20-day period, a reduction of 43 accidents, from 117 before the operation to 74 during the operation. Police said such a notable decline in a location with long, wide roads like Hulhumale' shows that road users are becoming more attentive.

Traffic enforcement in Male' has also produced positive results. Police recorded 128 accidents in the capital from the 21st to the 7th of this month, while the number fell to 106 between the 8th and 24th following special measures, a 17.2 percent decrease.

Police stressed that the figures are not the end goal but a clear indication that collective efforts are moving in the right direction. From the 8th to the 27th of this month, officers checked 3,151 vehicles, 2,800 motorcycles and 351 four-wheelers. Of these, 808 drivers were advised and cautioned instead of being penalized.

However, 23 vehicles were fined for serious violations, and 145 vehicles were towed for driving in a manner that endangered others. Police reiterated that road safety cannot be defined by a single operation or timeframe, stating that it is both a right and a national responsibility shared by all road users.