Amendment proposed to address liability in reckless road accidents
He added that this omission creates challenges in addressing such incidents through the criminal justice system.
Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem has proposed an amendment to the Constitution to establish legal liability for accidents caused by the operation of motor vehicles in violation of road rules and without regard for the safety of other road users.
Presenting the proposal on social media on Saturday, Meekail stated that current provisions criminalise acts of intimidation that may cause injury through reckless conduct. However, he noted that accidents resulting from the reckless use of motor vehicles are not explicitly included in these provisions.
He added that this omission creates challenges in addressing such incidents through the criminal justice system.
Meekail stated that his amendment seeks to include motor vehicle-related accidents within the scope of existing legal definitions covering reckless conduct. The aim, he said, is to ensure legal remedies and justice for victims affected by such incidents.
He proposed adding a new provision to the Constitution covering the operation of a motorised road vehicle “in such a manner as to cause fear or with reckless disregard for the risk of injury to a person's life.”
The proposal comes following a recent road accident in Malé, where a speeding motorcycle struck a pedestrian. The 17-year-old boy riding the motorcycle died, and others involved sustained serious injuries.
