Sharjah Police get 245 calls daily about obstructive parking

Sharjah: Disturbed by hundreds of daily calls from motorists complaining about obstructive parking, Sharjah Police said offenders face a Dh500 fine and four black points, a senior official told Gulf News.

Brigadier Ali Al Khayal, director-general of central operations at Sharjah Police, said the crackdown follows a public awareness campaign about the dangers of random undesignated parking.

Parking in the middle of the road will also invite a fine of Dh500 and four black points.

Brig Al Khayal said random haphazard parking also prevents police patrols from reaching destinations during emergencies. There have been cases where motorists in an emergency situation were unable to move their cars because of double parked cars.

The police operations room is flooded with calls every day from motorists complaining their cars have been blocked by unlawful parking. As many as 245 calls are received daily, mostly from 5.30am-9am and 3pm-8pm, Brig Al Khayal said.

Most calls come from Al Majaz, Al Taawun, Al Nahda, Abu Shagara, Al Qasimiya, Bu Daniq, Butinah, Muweilah, and Al Sour residential areas, as well as some commercial areas.

Police officers take down the number plate of the offending vehicle and call the owner to move the car. If the motorist fails to comply, a patrol is sent to issue a fine.

The problem also occurs in sandy patches between buildings that serve as makeshift parking lots, especially in crowded areas. In Abu Shagara, for example, it is not rare to find motorists double or even triple parking. Some leave behind their mobile number on a piece of paper on the windshield of the car they block, in case the blocked car needs to be moved.

Brig Al Khayal said that authorities are working to solve the problem by building multi-storey parking lots. Vacant plots between buildings should also be reserved for parking, in addition to a requirement for new buildings to include parking spaces for tenants.

Authorities warned motorists that errant drivers who flout parking space designations and general road signs will feel the full force of the law as part of a crackdown on parking misfits.

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Rules and penalties

Random parking: Dh500 fine and four black points

Blocking traffic: Dh200 fine

Parking in prohibited places: Dh200 fine, two black points

Police receive calls on 901, 06 563 2222 or 06 563 4444