Hefty fines for people offering carpooling in private vehicles
Abu Dhabi Police say some private car owners operate vehicles as taxis without obtaining licence
Once again, motorists have been warned that carpooling in their private vehicles is illegal and will invite hefty fines.
Only licensed taxis and private carriers are allowed to transport people to and from destinations, said authorities on Monday.
According to the Federal Traffic Law, the penalty for illegally transporting passengers carries a fine of Dh3,000, loss of 24 traffic points and vehicle confiscation for 30 days.
About 2,200 motorists have been fined so far this year for illegally transporting passengers in their private vehicles in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police said.
Generally in Abu Dhabi, illegal taxis operate from localities such as Elektra and Murror Road signal behind Janata Bank, opposite Abu Dhabi Bus terminus and behind Evision building off Airport Road.
Blue collar workers and low income groups opt for such unauthorised taxis because they can’t afford expensive taxi fares when travelling to Musaffah and the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
Most illegal operators use old saloons with four persons sharing a fare of Dh10 each to get to the outskirts from downtown Abu Dhabi.
They opt for this because it is quicker and affordable while buses take too long to reach
Musaffah.
Brigadier Ibrahim Sultan Al Zaabi, director of the transport security department of Abu Dhabi Police, said, “Illegally transporting passengers has serious consequences for the commuters and poses a serious threat to society. It also poses danger to the health and security of the community.”
Brigadier Al Zaabi asked the public not to use private vehicles operating as illegal taxis and opt for only the licensed modes of transportation available in the city.
“These unidentified drivers pose a serious risk to passengers in case of accidents and the legal prosecution becomes difficult when the driver is unknown or unlicensed,” he said.
In June last year, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City impounded 98 vehicles from the Al Wathba area as they were being operated as illegal taxis. The vehicles were impounded.