Abu Dhabi acts tough on abandoned vehicles

An Abandoned vehicle being removed Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADCM) has seized 123 vehicles and issued 186 tickets against owners for putting up their vehicles for sale in public places.
The move was launched as part of a campaign organised by the ADCM in Baniyas, Shamkha, Khatam, Al Wathba, Shakhboot city and Shawamekh areas.
The municipality urged the public to keep their vehicles clean and not to leave them in public places for lengthy periods, as it mars the appearance of the city.
The campaign reflects the commitment of the municipality in educating residents about protecting the environment.
According to the municipality, all impounded vehicles have exhausted the legal notice period served by inspectors during which owners should remove or clean their dusty vehicles. In the event a car's owner is found non-responsive, the vehicle will be towed to the impounding yard to take the applicable actions pursuant to the law governing such practices.
The definition of the law covers all vehicles, trailers, boats and the like, which will be towed away to the impounding area at Al Wathba.
The abandoned vehicle will be imposed Dh3,000 fine, and the offering of cars for sale will incur Dh1,000 fine.
When the offender reports to the municipality, he or she will be offered a settlement where he or she will be required to pay 50 per cent of the fine.
However, the fine will be doubled in case of repeated offence.
Besides, the offender will incur daily costs, which will vary according to the type of the vehicle and the place from which it has been towed away.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com