Dh3,000 fine for leaving vehicles, boats unattended

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality has recently carried out a large-scale campaign targeting abandoned boats, issuing five offences and five warnings to the owners.
Ahead of the campaign, the municipality spotted the neglected boats in parking spaces, along roads, in public squares and neighbourhoods. The campaign covered a wide geographical area including Bahya, Sadr and Shalila.
The municipality is pressing ahead with its plans to combat such eyesores pursuant to Law No. 2/2012 governing the overall appearance, health and public tranquility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the amended executive regulation.
The amendments cut the grace period to three days instead of 14 after which the inspector shall notify the car-towing company to remove the boats or cars marring the general appearance, as they become a source of public nuisance due to the accumulation of dust and waste.
The law refers to all vehicles, trailers, boats and the like, all of which may be towed away to the impounding yard in Al Wathba.
Pursuant to the law, a fine of Dh3,000 is slapped on offenders who can reconcile a payment of 50 per cent off the eligible fine in case they come to terms with the municipality.
The fine is doubled to recurrent offenders who must also pay the associated impounding costs, which vary depending on vehicle type and from where it was impounded.
Statistically, the phenomenon of abandoned vehicles was rampant, but it has now diminished significantly thanks to amended law that hiked fines and cut the grace period to just three days.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com