The new Land Transport Act has determined that driving dangerously and recklessly is a crime and has included major penalties for those that do.
As per the act that was ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on 31st August and published in the Gazette, the penalty for driving dangerously or recklessly is a fine between MVR 25,000 and MVR 100,000 in accordance with the degree of the crime.
The act states that if the crime results in injury to another individual, the person who committed the crime will be penalized between MVR 100,000 and MVR 500,000.
Even if someone who commits such a crime is penalized via the Land Transport Act, they can also be criminally charged under the penal code.
Being penalized is not the only punishment such people may face under the Land Transport Act. According to Article 102 (e), those who are charged can also have their license voided between 5 to 10 years. The trial will rule whether the accused loses the right to have a license for that period of time.
Those who commit such a crime without a license will lose the right to apply for a license for that period of time.
After either the period when a license is voided or the right to apply for a license expires, they will only be given a license under certain requirements and after completing an awareness program from the relevant administration.
In addition to driving dangerously, acting in a way that facilitates the crime is also a crime as per the new act, one of which is giving up control of the vehicle to the individual in the passenger seat. The penalty for such a crime is between MVR 25,000 and MVR 50,000.
If it results in injury, a fine between MVR 50,000 and MVR 100,000 will be imposed.
There are other steps included in the Land Transport Act to lower accident rates and reduce congestion.
The new Land Transport Act was submitted to Parliament by Kurendhoo Constituency MP Mohamed Shaamin Habeeb. The bill was passed through 47 out of the 59 MPs in attendance voting in favour. The 12 opposition MDP MPs voted against the bill.
