Police target parking violations

Motorists have been warned against bad parking by the Traffic and Licensing Department yesterday following a sharp increase in the offence last year.

A report has shown a big increase in violations in Abu Dhabi and its suburbs last year as compared with 2003.

According to the Traffic Department, the number of fines issued to motorists for incorrect parking and the blocking of roads increased by 15 per cent last year, compared with the same period in 2003.

Head of the Patrols Section for downtown Abu Dhabi, First Lieutenant Hamdan Bin Abdul Aziz Amer, said the department issued 51,015 tickets for parking offences last year, against 43,433 in 2003.

"Last year, the department issued 36,674 fines for wrong parking and 14,341 for blocking the way for others, particularly at exit points. In 2003, the department issued 31,725 tickets for wrong parking and 11,708 for blocking the way, showing an increase in overall parking violations," he said.

He said to discourage this trend the department had further intensified its campaign against incorrect parking. He warned motorists against parking badly and advised them to use proper car parks.

Major Jamal Salem Al Ameri, Director of Safety and Public Relations at the department, said drivers needed to change their attitudes towards parking and safe driving.

Major Al Ameri said a new Ministry of Interior regulation, which increases fines for parking in spaces set aside for ambulances, fire engines and the disabled, comes into force next month.

Under the new regulation, the fine has been increased from Dh150 to Dh500. The regulation was issued under the directives of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Interior.

Al Ameri said these special spaces were designed to provide a swift response in cases of fire and medical emergencies.

"Blocking these spaces means blocking rescue operations, thus it cannot be tolerated. Therefore, drivers must stop this and respect the traffic rules and regulations of the country," he said.

Under Civil Defence laws for blocking rescue operations, vehicles parked in spaces designed for rescue operations may face a maximum jail term of three years or a fine of Dh10,000, or both.

Similarly, Al Ameri said motorists should avoid using special parking spaces available for people with special needs.

In 2003, the department made it compulsory for disabled motorists to have permits to use their dedicated parking spaces in an effort to stop other drivers from using them.