2,697 motorcyclists penalized for speeding, endangering lives

Police have penalized 2,697 motorcyclists for speeding, endangering lives of other drivers and pedestrians, so far this year. 

Statistics police shared with Sun show that between January 1 and November 9, 2,607 motorcyclists were penalized for speeding, while one was penalized for driving below the speed limit. 

The statistics show 100 taxi drivers were penalized for violation of taxi regulations, and 199 drivers were penalized for violation of traffic signals. 

30 drivers were penalized for driving over or parking on pavements, while 435 drivers were penalized for illegal parking. 

16 drivers were penalized for failing to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, and 18 drivers were penalized for driving in a line, disrupting traffic. 

The statistics show total 31 drivers were penalized for reckless driving.  

With the figures, police have fined 3,537 drivers for traffic violations so far this year. 

Traffic Management Department’s head, Superintendent of Police Hussain Sameer told Sun that police have managed traffic, with a special focus on crosswalks, an average of two hours per day over 313 days, and reprimanded 3,756 drivers for violations. 

Noting an increase in motorcycles with modified silencers, Sameer stressed that driving on vehicles with modified silencers are against regulations, and that such vehicles are therefore being stopped and towed. 

“Police have the legal authority to hold motorcycles with modified silencers for 15-30 days. We have such vehicles towed even now,” he said. 

Sameer said that there are currently some 500 motorcycles in the tow yard, which were confiscated for speeding, unlicensed driving, and driving with an open silencer. 

Sameer said that traffic issues in the congested Male’ City cannot be solved by police alone, and that it requires for private citizens to perform their civic duty.