Abandoned vehicles in Capital to be impounded

Vehicles left for extended periods in a shabby condition in different places in Abu Dhabi will be towed away.

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality recently launched a campaign targeting vehicles abandoned in public places, car parks or in front of villas and in all places within the domain of the authority. About 4,311 abandoned vehicles were reported so far this year.
The campaign is part of the municipality's ongoing efforts to educate the public on the importance of avoiding the practice of leaving vehicles for extended periods in different places in a shabby condition marring the civilised appearance of the city. A sizable number of vehicles, which had exhausted the legal grace period, were removed to the impounded vehicles yard.
The municipality had made it clear that it would give owners a grace period to remove their cars from these places or to at least keep them clean. If no action was taken, the owners were warned that the municipality would have no other option but to remove them to the impounded vehicles yard.
The municipality is coping with this phenomenon in accordance with legal procedures based on the Law No. (2) for 2012 for maintaining public appearance, health and tranquility in the Abu Dhabi Emirate along with its executive regulations. Subsequent amendments revised the notice period to three days instead of 14 following which the inspector will notify the vehicles-towing company to remove the dust-covered vehicle. The law is applicable to all vehicles including trailers and boats.
In implementation of the provisions of the Law No (2) for 2012, a fine of Dh3,000 will be imposed, and once the offender reports to the municipality, a settlement is offered including the payment of 50 per cent of the fine. But should the offence recur, the fine will be doubled and daily impounding fees will be applied, depending on the type of vehicle and the area from which the vehicle had been removed.
According to statistics, the practice of abandoned vehicles was quite rampant in the past, but following the implementation of the new law, the phenomenon has dropped, particularly with the hike in the fee amount and the slashed notice period of three days.
Since the start of this year, the municipality has impounded 3,282 vehicles. Offences against the rest of the vehicles have been rectified either by cleaning or removing them.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi