Law amendment necessary to issue immediate fines via speed cameras: Police

Police have said that an amendment to the law is necessary before text messages informing of fines can be sent in real time to motorists via monitoring on speed cameras placed on Sinamale' Bridge.

Police have been monitoring traffic on the Sinamale' Bridge via speed cameras since October 15, 2023. If any vehicles are found to be driving over the speed limit, or breaking other traffic regulations, a text message is sent to the vehicle owner.

Police said then that this had been commenced in efforts to issue immediate fines against offenders, as is practised elsewhere in the world. However, fines have not been levied in this manner even to date.

Chief Superintendent of Police Hussain Sameer responded to questions from Mihaaru about this issue, stating that it has not been implemented so far as it requires changes to existing laws.

As per the law, fines in traffic violations have to be charged to the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence.

Sameer said that it is challenging to determine whether it was the owner of the vehicle driving when monitoring is done via speed cameras. Hence, the owner cannot be fined for the offence as the law stands now.

The Chief Superintendent went on to state that after three consecutive fines, the law allows the vehicle to be towed.

"We are working on changing this. At the moment, the message we send will inform the vehicle owner even the speed the vehicle was being driven at," he said.

Sameer said that at present, the messages are sent manually. However, the speed cameras placed on the bridge are equipped to automatically detect license plate numbers and send messages to the registered owner.

Police have stepped up traffic operations in the Male' region following an increase in accidents in the past months. In addition to increased traffic police presence on the streets, they will also place speed guns to monitor traffic on the bridge and highway.