UAE | Traffic and Transport

423,000 vehicles face bar on sale by 2010

More than 423,000 cars in the UAE will be unable to be sold in two years, as they will be more than 10 years old, officials have said.

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 19:06 November 24, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Dwynn Ronald V. Trazo, Guillermo Munro/Gulf News
  • While sale will be prohibited, registration of the cars can be renewed and the owner can continue to use it.

Abu Dhabi: More than 423,000 cars in the UAE will be unable to be sold in two years, as they will be more than 10 years old, officials have said.

While sale will be prohibited, registration of the cars can be renewed and the owner can continue to use it.

"Ownership transfer of over 423,577 cars which are more than 10 years old will be prohibited by 2010. This figure includes cars from all emirates except Dubai, so it will be higher," said Colonel Gaith Al Za'abi, head of the traffic department at the Ministry of Interior, on Monday, at a press conference. However, these cars could be sold for use outside the UAE.

Earlier this year, in line with the Federal Governments' strategy to ease traffic congestion, reduce accidents and curb motor vehicle pollution, the government announced the decision to begin phasing out cars older than 20 years from December 1.

"Around 144,317 cars will be 20 years or older by December next year. As and when they turn 20 the registration of these cars will not be renewed and thus will be taken off the roads of UAE," Al Za'abi said.

Moreover, in 2010, only cars less than 15 years old will be renewed which will lead to the banning of 322,533 vehicles by the end of the year.

The total number of cars in the UAE stands at 1.85 million, which means the country is amongst those nations having the highest car ownership per population in the world. With 541 cars per every 1000 of the population, Dubai has the highest car ownership in the emirates.

Police vigilance

Al Za'abi stressed that police will organise intensive campaigns to ensure no banned cars remain on the streets.

"Once we stop renewing or registering these old cars, it automatically becomes illegal to continue driving them. Fines will be imposed on those found flouting the regulations and their cars will be confiscated," he said.

Police estimate that at least 30 per cent of accidents are caused by old cars which often break down amidst traffic, worsening congestion.

The decision will also improve the appearance of the city, he said, adding that old cars could be sold as scrap to workshops or shipped out of the country.

"Our primary concern is the safety of people and we don't want them to travel in cars that are not safe on the roads. It will encourage use of public transport besides helping the environment," Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansouri, General Manager of National Transport Authority, told Gulf News.

"It is a real crisis that buying a car is as easy as buying a TV. In some countries, like Singapore, getting the right to own a car is much harder and costlier."

"Public transportation is still in developmental phase, but with success stories like the bus service in the capital, more solutions like metros and light rails will follow shortly."

The new regulations from next month also ban taxis older than five years, the import of light vehicles older than five years and heavy vehicles older than seven years.

How are you affected by the decision? Will the move help reduce traffic and air pollution? What are your views on the issue?

Your comments


Yes, it will reduce pollution but I don't think it will help reduce traffic congestion because people will probably buy new cars instead of their old ones.
Dexter
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 09:25

This is very good initiative. I think it will reduce pollution and traffic issues.
Noor Mohammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 09:20

That's better! It will ease traffic a little bit!
From a reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 09:08

Though I will not be affected by this decision at the moment, I feel sad for those who have bought these cars with most of the savings they had. I hope that authorities will make sure that there is a proper and effective public transport system in place which connects to all parts of the city. Also, while this decision may be effective on the environment front, it may not be in reducing traffic congestion and accidents. Accidents are caused by arrogant driving and total negligence of road rules.
Biby
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:50

I support this new law.
G. Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:45

I support this rule a 100 per cernt because I am sure it would improve the traffic situation.
Gigi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:36

This is great for the environment
Kamal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:17

This is a good initiative but what would happen to those who cannot afford new cars?
Casper
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:17

This is a good move towards pollution and traffic congestion control.
Sajeev Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:10

If a car is well maintained and passes the requirements then what is the problem?surely the way people drive is a more important issue than blaming people who cant afford to buy new cars.
Mark
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 25, 2008, 08:00

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