Racing permit in Hulhumale' revoked, Pres instructs stringent measures

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Friday, instructed all relevant authorities to implement eight stringent measures to ensure road safety, including an immediate revocation of HDC granted permit for drifting and racing in Hulhumale'.

In a social media post, President Muizzu said he is determined to implement the instructions given to the institutions on Friday to control and regulate speeding and reckless driving to prevent the recurrence of tragic road accidents.

President Muizzu's bold instructions come on the same day a deadly accident took place in Hulhumale', near Central Park, that claimed the life of a 23-year-old local man.

In his social media post, the president further said the instructions rolled out on Friday are essential in safeguarding residential areas from the disturbance of vehicles.

The eight measures instructed by President in his post include:

1. Amendment of laws and regulations for stringent penalization on speeding and reckless driving and implementation of stricter action against such drivers
2. Immediate revocation of the permit issued by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on October 19, 2023 to use a specific area in Hulhumale' for drifting and racing
3. Stopping vehicles that violate speed limit and confiscate the licenses of such drivers and impound such vehicles to police custody
4. Amendment of laws and regulations to prohibit vehicles with a specific horsepower and above from being used on public roads
5. Amendment of laws and regulations to forbid the import of devices or accessories used in the modification of road vehicles that create loud noise
6. Expedite the execution of the plan submitted by Maldives Police Service, proposing the installation of speed breakers and speed detection cameras in 150 areas of Hulhumale', to HDC
7. Introduction of a graduating license system and deduction of points from traffic violators' driving licenses
8. Expand and strengthen the efforts of police to enforce traffic laws and regulations

President Muizzu further said that the measures and their outcomes will be carefully monitored.

Majority of the most recent road accidents occurred due to speeding and reckless driving. Most of these cases involved out-of-control racing cars, due to which the public have already begun calling out a ban on such vehicles in Maldives.