Malé, Maldives – President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has revoked the permit issued by Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for using a specific area in Hulhumalé for drifting and racing. This decision comes in response to the tragic accident that claimed the life of a 23-year-old man early Friday morning.

The accident occurred near Hulhumalé Central Park when a sports racing car, driven by 26-year-old Mohamed Visam Sidgee, who does not hold a valid driver’s license, collided with a motorbike. The victim, identified as Hassan Samah, was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the dangers posed by reckless driving and racing in residential areas.

In response to the accident, President Muizzu issued instructions for eight stringent measures aimed at improving road safety and preventing future accidents. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the President expressed his determination to implement these measures swiftly to protect residents from the growing menace of speeding and reckless driving.

Among the key measures announced is the immediate revocation of the permit issued by HDC on October 19, 2023, allowing a designated Hulhumalé area to be used for racing activities. The President also called for nationwide penalties against speeding and reckless driving, emphasizing the need to make roads safer for everyone.

The new measures include plans to impound vehicles violating speed limits and confiscate drivers’ licenses. There will also be amendments to laws restricting vehicles with a specific horsepower from being used on public roads, and regulations preventing the import of noise-modifying devices for vehicles.

Additionally, the President has instructed authorities to expedite the execution of a plan proposed by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) to install speed breakers and speed detection cameras in 150 areas of Hulhumalé. This is part of a broader effort to improve enforcement of traffic laws, including the introduction of a graduating license system and stricter penalties for traffic violators.

The measures come in the wake of growing public concern over road safety in Hulhumalé, where two reckless driving incidents have occurred within a short span of time. President Muizzu’s response signals a commitment to improving traffic safety, especially in residential areas where residents have increasingly voiced frustrations over the disturbance caused by modified vehicles.

The Maldives Police Service has also pledged to strengthen its efforts to enforce traffic laws and ensure the safety of roads nationwide.