Road accidents drop below 200 in September as police boost patrols

Road accidents were the lowest in September compared to all other months of this year, according to monthly statistics released by the police.

Statistics published on the police website show that 2,192 road accidents have been reported to the agency so far this year. The numbers were upwards of 200 in all months except for September.

• January: 263 accidents
• February: 267 accidents
• March: 301 accidents
• April: 219 accidents
• May: 225 accidents
• June: 214 accidents
• July: 210 accidents
• August: 204 accidents
• September: 186 accidents

Total 2,300 road accidents were reported last year, with 186 accidents in September – the same as this year’s September.

The decline in accidents in September came after the police increased street patrols following a string of dangerous accidents in the Maldivian capital, some of which resulted in fatalities.

In late September, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau announced more changes to the police patrol policy, which he said will see an increased street presence in the Maldivian capital so that people come across an officer every five minutes.