500 motorists fined for dirty cars in the capital
Hundreds of motorists were fined for their excessively dirty vehicles as part of a clampdown that also swept up holidaymakers who had left their cars in the street.
Abu Dhabi Municipality has handed out the Dh3,000 penalty for “distorting the public image” to almost 500 people since the beginning of April.
Residents returned from holiday to find either fines on their car windows or their vehicles impounded.
Municipal officials said owners must store them in a garage or underground parking, if available, or ask a friend or family to remember to have the car cleaned. Yesterday, the municipality said a low-cost parking space was available in the Zafranah area of central Abu Dhabi for those going on holiday.
The authority said it had issued 479 fines between April 1 and July 22. It said inspectors were obliged to place a daily warning on dirty cars three times before a fine is issued and the car is towed away.
“So if after the first warning, the owner did not move the car, and the second, and the third, it means that the car is neglected,” the spokesman said.
Maj Gen Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Abu Dhabi Police commander-in-chief, said that abandoned cars can pose security risks.
“We co-ordinate with the municipality to have them removed,” Maj Gen Al Romaithi said at a police event yesterday.
He reminded drivers that they could not park in the airport before they travel, adding: “They should park in their building or garage.”
Residents expressed their frustration at the presence of inspectors.
But since 2013, a ban on washing vehicles in the street means that the simple option of cleaning a neighbour’s car is no longer available.
“And to commission someone to take my car to the car and wash it means I have to leave my car keys with them for two or three weeks, and I don’t think this is acceptable to anyone,” said Mohammed Al Daqqaq, a 31-year-old marketing manager from Jordan, owner of a dusty car who returned home from a holiday to a warning .
Mr Al Daqqaq said he saw many fines on car windscreens close to his home near the Corniche Formal Park.
“The warning wouldn’t make a difference when people are on holiday, because they can’t see it, and once they return they will be surprised with the fine.”
The municipality proposed that travellers park their cars at an open yard for a small fee of about Dh15 per day.
“Anyone can go to the Zaafaranah Municipality Centre and they will guide him where to take his car,” said the spokesman.
“The yard is inside the city.”
Municipal officials said owners must store them in a garage or underground parking, if available, or ask a friend or family to remember to have the car cleaned