Reckless driver cleans Abu Dhabi streets

Man ordered to perform community service for three months also fined Dh17,000 under new law

In a first-of-its-kind verdict in the capital, a jobless man has been ordered to clean the streets and public squares of Abu Dhabi for three months, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) announced yesterday.

The man, an Emirati, was also fined Dh17,000 and banned from driving for three months, after he was caught driving a vehicle recklessly without a car licence plate, and performing dangerous stunts that posed a threat to public safety.

The young man was also accused of knocking down a bystander and fleeing the scene, after he swerved and lost control of his vehicle.

Last week, the young motorist was seen performing dangerous stunts in his vehicle in front a school in Al Shamkha area, and later hitting a bystander before fleeing the scene.

He also filmed a clip of the incident and posted it on social media.

The man was later arrested by Abu Dhabi Police and referred to the Public Prosecution, who ordered him to perform community service for three months.

Under Law No. 7 of 2016, community service will replace prison terms of no more than six months or payment of fine for misdemeanours cases.

The decree was issued by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, in which Article 120 stipulates the mandatory community service of sentenced individuals in any of the facilities or establishments.

Dubai takes the lead

On February 23, a 17-yearold Emirati driver in Dubai was ordered to clean the roads at City Walk for four hours every day for a month as community service for performing dangerous stunts with his vehicle on a wet road in the area.

On March 15, an Emirati man and his two employees were ordered to clean Dubai Zoo for four hours every day for 90 days after a video of the man feeding a cat to his dogs went viral on social media.

Community service tasks include cleaning streets, public squares, beaches, parks and natural sanctuaries, teaching uneducated and illiterate people how to read and write, gardening and maintaining public parks, loading and unloading containers at ports and assisting civil defence teams.

Asma Samir is a journalist based in Abu Dhabi.