Dirty and damaged cars in Dubai to be towed by authorities

The National -- Drivers across Dubai have been warned that dirty and damaged cars will be towed away, as new figures showed 12,000 vehicles have been lifted this year.

The waste management department at Dubai Municipality discussed with some of Dubai's real estate developers the action plan for removing vehicles abandoned on road sides and public places, which obstruct road cleaning.

Under the authority’s My Vehicle campaign vehicles will be confiscated in cooperation with these developers, including Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dubai Investment Group, Tecom, Dubai Properties Group and Meydan Group.

“Spreading environmental awareness to all sectors of society in their locations is important,” said Abdul Majeed Sifai, director of waste management.

"The aim is to improve cooperation with the private sector, which oversees the responsibility of managing large residential and investment areas in Dubai, estimated at 10,045 km².

“We discussed ways to enhance the role of these companies in creating awareness among the tenants of residential complexes on the importance of not leaving their vehicles neglected and inappropriate to the general appearance of the city,” he added.

“We want to coordinate effectively the removal of abandoned vehicles from these residential complexes to the Dubai Municipality Scrap Yard after meeting all the legal requirements of removal.

“The municipality will offer the service of removing abandoned vehicles that are approved by these companies according to their eligibility for removal provided,” Mr Sifai said.

“The legal responsibility for the removal is on the developer company and not on the municipality.”

Leaving or neglecting any vehicles or equipment on the road side and public places without moving them, which obstructs the process of cleaning and 'distorts public appearance' is an offence.

“The vehicle will first be identified as to whether it meets the conditions of removal, whether it is left dirty, damaged or obstructs city cleaning,” he added.

“Then a violation notice will be issued by putting a warning sticker on the vehicle, which gives a period of 15 days to clean the vehicle. In the event of failure to respond within this period, the vehicle will be confiscated and shifted to the scrap yard. If the vehicle owner does not contact the municipality to pay the fine, the vehicle will be sold by auction.

More than 12,000 abandoned cars were confiscated in Dubai this year.

In Abu Dhabi, almost 500 motorists were fined in July for having excessively dirty vehicles as part of a crackdown that has seen holidaymakers caught out for leaving their cars in the street.