President ratifies Amendment Bill to Road Traffic Act

The Second Amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which pardons traffic fines, has been ratified by President Abdulla Yameen.

The new law states that all past fines resulting from traffic violations as well as revoking of licences, will be pardoned.

Several clauses of the bill, including clause 49, were removed during review by the Economic Affairs Committee.

The law also exempts persons with special needs from the annual fee for road transport vehicles; and defines the maximum duration allowed for uninterrupted parking at parking zones established by the relevant ministry, as seven days.

It gives police the authority to remove vehicles parked for longer than seven days, and states that details of the vehicles thus removed shall be announced within 24 hours.

Owners will have 60 days to reclaim the vehicle, after which police have the authority to destroy or put them up for auction, states the new law.

Although all past traffic fines will be pardoned, new fines will be imposed for traffic violations committed after the law comes into effect.