Wheels and wounds: A nation’s reckoning

In just the first half of this year, over 1,000 accidents have been reported in the Maldives. A total 61 of those incidents have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries. With recent tragedies such as the one involving the death of a 17-year-old boy, from which the emotional and mental wounds are still fresh in the public's hearts and minds, the issue of road safety in the Greater Male' region is a topic that needs to be heavily and seriously discussed. Road accidents have become a rising concern in urban islands like Male’ city.

According to the Maldives Police Service crime statistics, the highest reported incidents in 2025 have been traffic accidents. And it seems that it's only getting worse. The stats paint a harrowing picture, as the most common type of accidents found in the Maldives involve motorbikes, with said vehicle being the most common one found in the country. Male drivers comprise 85 percent of the victims, usually resulting in minor injuries at best and in worst cases, death. The data shows that 84 percent of these collisions occurred in Male’.

Now, the root causes of these accidents are because of a combination of a variety of factors including rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, high traffic density and a lack of awareness of traffic laws. I have spoken to multiple people, particularly my family members and close friends about this issue. For the sake of anonymity, they will be referred to by pseudonyms. “D” noted that Maldives has a “vehicular overpopulation” issue, and that many “people have very callous and lazy mindsets” when it comes to driving on the road which causes catastrophic accidents on the road. The “vehicular overpopulation” issue can be attributed to the rapid population growth of citizens in the Maldives, especially Male’, which leads to an increase in vehicle ownership which puts a strain on roads and infrastructure placement. There is also the issue of road space, to which we can all say is painfully limited. Narrow roads and pavements in densely populated cities like Male’ exacerbate an already existing problem. It's also worth noting that we are a developing nation with an upper-middle income. While we have some notable successes in the strides this country took in improving itself, our country’s infrastructure is not up to code and is severely outdated. This leads to congestion within Male’ which leads to drivers having limited ability to navigate the roads safely.

However, it's not only an issue with the country’s geographical and environmental problems, we as citizens must also take accountability for the increase in road accidents. Due to the lack of road regulations and safety measures being implemented, many Maldivian drivers display risky driving behaviors on the street which increases the chances of a vehicular accident occurring. Many Maldivians are known for going past the speed limit when driving. This has caused numerous fatalities and injuries. I cannot tell you how many close calls I have had with speeders, which could be touted as the scariest part when travelling within this country. Maybe some are too distracted and unfocused, usually on their phones when driving. The roads require focus. The pedestrians and other drivers behind you and beside you should be given consideration as to not have something go horribly wrong on the road. It also must be noted that there are underage drivers who do not have a license driving around our streets. While the recent death is tragic, it is entirely irresponsible and ignorant to allow children below the age of 18 to drive. Driving is an adult’s game, and adults should be the only players playing. Responsibly, of course. These factors being unchecked and going on for as long as they have can only mean that there is a lack of public awareness on the matter. Rules and regulations of the road are not being implemented strongly enough, and that needs to change. Other environmental factors beyond our control could also contribute to road accidents such as fluctuations in our weather like heavy rain, which can make the roads slippery to drive on. Harsh weather also affects driver sightlines, making it difficult to navigate the road. Despite all this, drivers must take extra precaution, and choose whether to drive or to take a walk during such times. If one must be driving under such harsh conditions, please do drive extra carefully and slowly to minimize harm to oneself and to others. But if you can really help it, it's better to just stay home and wait out the bad weather.

While the physical toll of these types of accidents are evident, loss of life being chief among them, the mental strain that occurs in the aftermath must also be addressed. Road accidents extract heavy tolls on the families involved, and there is no shortage of grief and sorrow that follow, such as with the case of the 17-year-old and the injured victims. Accidents of such gravity can carry emotional trauma which can result in mental ailments like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Studies have shown that people who have either witnessed or experienced a vehicular accident commonly express fear of driving and being on the road again.

With all this being said, we must take measures and keep in mind certain important factors when travelling the roads, whether it be walking or driving. As pedestrians, we must look both ways before crossing the road. As a society, we can learn from other countries on how we can improve our road safety. Sweden’s Vision Zero policy has been a cornerstone in eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Rather than blame drivers, it operates on the ideal that traffic safety is a shared responsibility between pedestrians, drivers and the system designers who build the very foundations we walk on. It also formulates plans to make better and safer road designs, ensuring that features such as roundabouts, dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians will be implemented, reducing the dangers that come with being on the road. This has allowed Sweden to become one of the top countries with the lowest road fatalities in recent memory. The policy has also been used in other countries as well such as Denmark, Norway and various other states in the USA, which makes it all the more paramount for us to adapt this policy into our traffic regulations.

In light of the frequent and tragic road accidents we've witnessed and endured as a community, it's time we reflect on our responsibilities as citizens. Let’s work together to be more cautious, mindful, and respectful in how we use our roads. Safe roads are not a privilege. They are a right, and we must help each other exercise our rights.