Drivers parking on pavement to be fined Dh500 in Sharjah

Sharjah: Sharjah residents who park on pavement will face Dh500 fine in addition to paying for repairs in case of damages, it was announced on Sunday.

Sharjah Municipality has launched a week-long awareness campaign on misuse of public parks and to educate drivers against parking cars in spaces between buildings and blocking access to emergency vehicles.

Officials warned drivers against parking on pavements on public roads and around government offices.

Driver who keep their vehicles for extended in public parks will also be fined, said Riyadh Abdullah, Director General of Sharjah Municipality on Sunday. He urged residents to avoid parking in between buildings and pavements around government institutions. He said misuse of public parking would result in fines.

“Do not park your vehicle on pavements, between buildings as such spaces are meant to be used only in emergencies by civil defence, ambulances and the police,” he said. After the campaign is over, fines would be handed out to violators and vehicles of repeat offenders can be impounded.

He said the municipality will also use social media to reach out to residents and will send SMSs to around 480,000 tenants in the emirate.

Omar Al Sharji, assistant general manager for customer service at municipality, said in December last year 468 fines were issued and 136 drivers were warned for parking on sidewalks.

He said drivers parking on pavement endanger lives of pedestrians who are forced to walk on the road and the practice also hampers movement of ambulances, police and civil defence during emergencies.