Police tow away cars parked in middle of road

Abu Dhabi: Residents in the Tourist Club Area (TCA) of the capital had a sooner than expected surprise yesterday morning - Abu Dhabi Traffic Police officials towed away all the cars parked in the middle of the main road.

Gulf News reported yesterday motorists were parking their cars illegally in the middle of the road in the TCA following a complaint from a reader.

"I read the Gulf News report early morning and was expecting police action the next day," said P.C. Ummer, a resident.

Patrolling

Gulf News reaches offices and homes in Abu Dhabi by 5am. But when he came out of his home at 6am, he was surprised to find police vehicles in the area.

"I did not imagine that a report would result in such prompt action".

He said a police vehicle with hazard lights on, stopped in front of the illegally parked cars to caution motorists, and another two police vehicles were patrolling the area.

Police trucks reached the spot by 8am and finished towing away several cars by 9am, said Ummer.

Another resident said he saw the owners of the illegally parked cars requesting the police to 'spare' them, but the police were strict.

"All the residents, including me, did not expect such immediate action, " said Jayaprasad Parameshwaran.

Violators

Abu Dhabi Traffic Police told Gulf News more strict action awaited the violators. "We will not call up the owners to collect their cars", said Major Ahmad Al Niyadi, Head of the Media and Public Relations Department at the Traffic and Patrols Department of Abu Dhabi Police.

"Earlier we used to. But we will not extend such courtesy to these types of serious violators".

They have to approach us to finish the formalities to collect their cars, said Al Niyadi.

"They have to pay a fine and recovery costs".

The official said the police acted quickly to avoid any accidents and other untoward incidents in the area.

"Such cars might obstruct the movement of fire engines and ambulances too in the event of an emergency. We will continue the strict action against violators," he said.