Road accidents top 2,300, with nearly 100 in October alone

The Maldives has seen over 2,300 road accidents so far this year, with nearly 100 in October alone, according to police statistics.

According to the latest information shared by the police, the agency has received 9,912 reports so far this year. The highest number of cases were of theft with 2,753 cases – making for 27.8 percent of total reports.

This followed reports of traffic accidents, with 2,379 such cases – making for 24 percent of total cases – reported so far this year.

This includes 96 accidents in October alone.

The authorities rolled out amendments to the Transport Act on October 1, prescribing harsher penalties and hefty fines for traffic violations. The amendments come in the wake of deadly accidents, especially in the populous Male’ area.

The news laws prescribe a fine of MVR 500 unregistered vehicles or illegal driving for first-time offenders, MVR 750 for second-time offenders, and MVR 1,000 for repeat offenders.

A police spokesperson previously told Sun that the agency penalized 653 individuals and towed 183 vehicles during the first week after the amendments kicked-in.