71 abandoned vehicles impounded in RAK

ras al khaimah — The Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has impounded 71 abandoned vehicles in the first half of the year, according to an official.

Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager of the public health department at the municipality, said: “Some of the vehicles were parked on public roads with for sale notices stuck on them in violation of law and in a way that tarnishes the beauty of the city.”

The public health department runs a thorough survey on all areas of the emirate on a regular basis to identify the vehicles left unattended for a long time, she added.

“The department has also received seven to 15 complaints on a monthly basis and the number even grew to 18 in February.”

Staff inspectors impounded 11 vehicles in June while selling food on the street or offering the vehicles for sale in violation of law. “The public should not purchase from with street vendors as they operate without licence and fail to meet health conditions, posing a grave risk to people’s health,” she said.

The number of the vehicles left unattended generally increases in summer. She pointed out: “The owners of these vehicles mostly travel home and leave them unattended while some others were involved in traffic accidents.”

However, the municipality impounds vehicles only after issuing a 48-hour warning, she said, adding that owners of auto garages are also asked not to leave the damaged or scrap vehicles in front of or around the garages.

Meanwhile, many residents voiced concerns over abandoned vehicles being used as hideouts for illegal practices. Sulaiman Al Mahi, Sudanese expat, said that such uncivilised practices distort the serene image of the emirate. “These ‘abandoned vehicles’ graveyards’ are also ill-used by druggies, criminals and illegal residents.”

Adnan Ukasha, Jordanian, said: “Most of these vehicles have been intentionally abandoned by their owners.”

Ali Rashid, an Emirati, said some of these vehicles were involved in traffic accidents. Mohammed Murad, an auto workshop owner, said: “Though we timely fix these cars, their owners never come back either to pay the charges or to collect their vehicles back.”

This process takes months with no hope to get pending dues or give space for other vehicles to be fixed, he added. “Most of these cars are of old models, and thus their owners do not give attention to get them back on time.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com