141 abandoned cars removed from Musaffah, Mafraq areas
abu dhabi — As many as 141 cars have been impounded after their owners left them abandoned for several weeks on the streets in Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi City Municipality said on Sunday that it has carried out an extensive inspection campaign targeting vehicles left unattended for extended periods in residential areas and public areas.
The campaign aimed to maintain the city landscape and preserve the environment. During the campaign which covered Musaffah and Mafraq Industrial areas, 141 violations were issued against owners of vehicles abandoned for extended periods, and warned 289 cars with accumulated dust in a way distorting the civilised appearance of the city. The cars that were issued with fines were also impounded.
The municipality called upon all community members to keep their vehicles clean to avoid the fine of Dh3,000 as stipulated by Law No (2) for 2012. If the offender reports to the munici- pality, a settlement will be offered including the payment of 50 per cent of the fine.
However, the fine will double for recurrent offenders, and daily impounding fees will apply, depending on the type of vehicle and the area from which the vehicle had been removed.
The municipality is combating this phenomenon under Law No. 2/2012, governing the general appearance, health and public tranquillity in the emirate.
The revised executive regulation provides for affixing offence notices on the violating vehicles for three days instead of 14 days.
Upon the lapse of the period without the vehicle being removed, the municipality will tow these vehicles to the impounding yard to protect the general appearance as they become a source of public nuisance due to the accumulation of dust and waste. The law applies to all vehicles, trailers, boats and the like, all of which may be towed away to the impounding yard at Al Wathba.
The municipality is keen to continue such campaigns to educate the public about the consequences of this phenomenon, along with its adverse impacts on the community and the environment.
The civic body invited community members to support its efforts to combat all eyesores and maintain the aesthetic appearance of the national capital.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com