While ongoing efforts such as traffic policing, existing road safety campaigns, and some infrastructure improvements play a crucial role, a more proactive and comprehensive approach is fundamental to achieving a significant and lasting reduction in road accidents.
internationaldriversassociation.com
The breathtaking beauty of the Maldives often overlooks a less picturesque reality: a persistent and worrying pattern of high road accidents and, tragically, fatalities, especially within the bustling Greater Malé region. Rapid urbanization, increased vehicle ownership, growing congestion on limited road infrastructure, and reckless driving have contributed to this safety challenge. Despite ongoing efforts, the number of incidents and resulting injuries and deaths remains a significant public safety concern, demanding urgent and sustained attention.
Maldives Police Services statistics
In April 2025, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) reported an alarming surge in traffic accidents in the Greater Malé area during the first quarter of 2025, totaling 1,068 incidents. February saw the highest number (398), followed by March (352) and January (318). Malé City had the most accidents (561), with Hulhumalé recording 454. Notably, bridges connecting Hulhumalé phases 1 and 2 were accident hotspots, including a fatal incident on the Sinamalé Bridge in February. This increase is substantial compared to the 267 nationwide accidents reported in February 2024.
Beyond Maldives - Lessons from Vision Zero
Launched in 1997, Sweden’s Vision Zero is a paradigm shift in road safety and has since been adopted by several Nordic countries and American cities. It operates on the ethical principle that no loss of life or serious injury is acceptable on the roads. Instead of solely blaming road users, it emphasizes a shared responsibility between road users and system designers - road management bodies, vehicle manufacturers, legislators, commercial transport operators, the police authority, and others. The responsibility of the road user is to comply with laws and regulations. Thus, the program prioritized safety, incorporating safe design features like separated lanes, roundabouts, and pedestrian zones, coupled with lower speed limits in urban areas. Crucially, it also emphasizes high vehicle safety standards and specific measures to protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Since 1997, Sweden has seen a substantial decrease in road fatalities, more than halving deaths despite increased traffic. This has positioned Sweden among the countries with the lowest road death rates globally.
Engineering safety into Maldivian roads:
While ongoing efforts such as traffic policing, existing road safety campaigns, and some infrastructure improvements play a crucial role, a more proactive and comprehensive approach is fundamental to achieving a significant and lasting reduction in road accidents. The country must prioritize designing and building a road network that inherently minimizes risks and protects all users, alongside ensuring the safety of the vehicles using these roads. This involves moving beyond basic road construction to incorporate safety as a core design principle and actively addressing vehicle roadworthiness.
Moving forward
While rigorous enforcement of stringent traffic laws and regulations targeting critical behaviours like speeding, seat belt compliance, and mobile phone use is a fundamental element of enhancing road safety, it is often insufficient on its own. The safety of pedestrians is also paramount; their vigilance and adherence to traffic rules are essential in preventing accidents. Just as drivers must be responsible, pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings, use designated crossings, and avoid distractions to ensure their safety and contribute to overall road safety.
The recent formation of the Maldives Transportation Safety Board, coinciding with the need to reformulate the National Road Safety Action Plan (the 2019-2023 version having lapsed), presents a crucial opportunity for a renewed and robust approach to road safety through comprehensive research, planning, and strategizing. Globally, road transport accidents represent a significant health crisis, ranking as the eighth leading cause of mortality and projected by the World Health Organization (WHO) to become the fifth by 2030. Alarmingly, these accidents are a top three killer for those aged 5 to 44 and the primary cause of death for young people aged 5 to 29. Therefore, the present moment offers a vital opportunity for the Maldives to act decisively to safeguard lives on its roads.
