CP Emphasises Road Safety Amid Rising Accident Concerns
The Commissioner of Maldives Police Service, Ali Shujau, has underscored the importance of road safety, stressing that the government’s significant investment in road development is not intended to facilitate reckless driving or racing.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony for the 100th batch of school traffic monitors at Fuvahmulah School, Commissioner Shujau highlighted the alarming rise in road accidents within Fuvahmulah City.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
He revealed that 163 accidents were reported between July 2022 and July 2023, with two resulting in fatalities and eight in serious injuries. He noted that the number of accidents had increased over the past year.
Commissioner Shujau emphasised that road safety can only be ensured if all road users strictly adhere to traffic laws and regulations. He pointed out that the irresponsible actions of a few individuals are endangering the lives of those who follow the rules.
“Reckless speeding and racing on public roads must come to an end. The roads are developed to ease transportation for the public, not to be used as racetracks,” said Shujau. He added that the roads would not become safe merely through the installation of traffic lights if drivers continue to ignore traffic regulations.
Addressing the importance of the Traffic Monitoring Training programme, Commissioner Shujau expressed his hope that the younger generation, trained through such initiatives, would grow up to be responsible citizens who respect traffic laws, thereby reducing the number of road accidents.
“The aim of this workshop is to cultivate a generation that respects traffic guidelines. I believe these children will abide by the laws even when a traffic police officer is not in sight, leading to a significant decrease in accidents and injuries,” Shujau remarked.
According to police statistics, 1,750 road accidents have been reported across the Maldives so far in 2024. Commissioner Shujau stressed that while action is taken against those who violate traffic regulations, and compensation is provided for damaged vehicles, the lives lost in such accidents cannot be restored, nor can the suffering of families with permanently injured members be alleviated.
The Commissioner’s remarks serve as a timely reminder of the critical importance of road safety and the shared responsibility of all citizens in ensuring safe public spaces for everyone.
