UAE | Traffic and Transport
Crackdown on illegal parking in Abu Dhabi soon
Residents of the capital who park their cars illegally will soon have their vehicles towed away by the police without being notified about the action, Gulf News has learnt.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:01 November 12, 2008
Abu Dhabi Residents of the capital who park their cars illegally will soon have their vehicles towed away by the police without being notified about the action, Gulf News has learnt.
"Drastic measures are needed to curb the burgeoning problem of illegal parking in the city. The police will shortly start towing away illegally parked vehicles without notifying the driver prior to the confiscation," a senior traffic police official revealed.
The drive will target those who park their vehicles in spaces meant for people with special needs, in front of fire hydrants and on pavements, besides in non-designated areas, the official said requesting anonymity.
"When the police control room receives a call about a car blocking the way of another motorist, for instance, the control room identifies the mobile number of the errant motorist and instructs the owner of the car to move his vehicle," the official said.
Currently, with the acute shortage of parking spaces in the city, authorities are not very touchy about vehicles found parked in non-designated spaces. Fines are only imposed if vehicles are found to be blocking the traffic flow, with vehicles being impounded only as a last resort. However, with the situation worsening, the police would simply tow away the car and only inform the owner later, said the official.
"Authorities are studying the strict enforcement of the parking regulations. More tickets will be issued and black points will be slapped to deter people from resorting to illegal parking," he said.
Earlier this year, over 17,645 parking tickets were issued between March and August as part of a campaign against illegal parking in the capital.
The lack of designated parking spaces continues to present a serious problem in the city. According to Abu Dhabi Municipality, there are around 71,000 parking spaces across the city as against a requirement of over 100,000 spaces during the peak hours.
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