Abu Dhabi's Mawaqif issues warnings instead of fines in under-construction areas

Abu Dhabi: Residents will be relieved to know that parking in unmarked areas where construction work is taking place and spaces are unavailable, will be let off with a warning instead of a violation ticket, Mawaqif officials said.

Although this has been in practice since the establishment of the company in 2009, many are still unaware of its presence.

“I live in the Khalidiya area and my neighbourhood recently underwent some construction work and we struggled to find parking spots for a long time. After the area was completed, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a warning ticket from Mawaqif after I had parked my car next to a pavement painted in yellow. I think it’s a fair practice,” said 24-year-old Kulthoom Abu Al Saeed, a civil engineer in the capital.

Mawaqif customer service officials told Gulf News that this practice allows residents to become aware that yellow and grey pavements will soon be painted turquoise and black or white to mark exactly where motorists are allowed to park.

“We try to prevent hassling visitors and residents in areas by letting them off with a warning first before fining them. This is done throughout Abu Dhabi including areas near villas where permits are still being set up. However, it is not applicable in other regions where parking spaces are readily available and Mawaqif paid parking exists,” the customer service representative said.

Earlier, Mohammad Al Otaiba, director-general of Mawaqif, said that the paid parking department does not aim to collect money from its customers but instead has been set up to create a relationship with its users based on mutual understanding of special circumstances.

There is paid parking from 8am to midnight, Saturday to Thursday. The charges are Dh2 per hour or Dh15 per day for standard parking (turquoise and black) and Dh3 per hour in premium parking (turquoise and white) kerbstones.