The National Road Safety Council, established under the new Land Transport Act that came into effect this month, held its inaugural meeting on Monday.
In a social media post, the Economic Ministry stated that the meeting included extensive discussions regarding the enforcement of the Land Transport Act.
Under the new legislation, which came into force on October 1, the National Road Safety Council was mandated to be formed by October 30.
The council’s responsibilities include advising the President on the formulation of national transport policies and providing guidance to the Minister on developing transport strategies.
The council is composed of the Transport Minister, the Attorney General, the Home Minister, the Housing Minister, and the Commissioner of Police.
The newly ratified Land Transport Act introduces several regulations previously unseen in the Maldives. The law sets a 20-year age limit on vehicles and mandates an additional fee for individuals owning more than one vehicle.
Furthermore, the Act introduces new legal protections for sidewalks and establishes fines for motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings.
