Obstructing cars in Sharjah will be seized

The days of crazily parked vehicles in and around buildings in Sharjah looks likely to be over, according to the city’s municipality.

Any vehicle that impedes traffic movement as well as hinders entrance of emergency vehicles like police cars, ambulances or fire trucks during rescue operations as a result of a fire or earthquake or any other emergency, will be towed away and impounded, said Ahmad Al Bardan, Head of the Department of Public Parking at Sharjah Municipality.

Al Bardan told Al Ittihad newspaper that there are several places where it is strictly prohibited to park a vehicle. Such places include the empty space between buildings, footpaths and places allocated for disabled, driveways, sidewalks etc.

He pointed out that the aim of this process is not to issue violations and fines, but to ensure space for emergencies.

Al Bardan said the municipality represented by the Department of Public Parking will begin an educational campaign for the public to explain to them the seriousness of such behavior on public life.

Parking in such places may cause someone to lose their lives due to lack of access to the affected in time to save their lives.

He stressed that everyone should abide by these conditions as from now on there will not be any further warnings. On being spotted, the offending car will be impounded immediately.

Al Bardan pointed out that the municipality and other relevant authorities have embarked on the development of alternatives parking in order to give residents the opportunity to get a regular parking without resorting to park their vehicles in a prohibited place.

He said the municipality has decided to activate - during the next few days - the service of reservation of parking via text messages.

Meanwhile, work is underway to increase prepaid parking in different places such as  Al Majaz, Al Nid, Al Mahta, Al Laya, Nasiriyah and Butaina.

He explained that the number of private parking which were already booked by persons is 205 parking.

Al Bardan said Sharjah Municipality has embarked on building a multi-storey parking in the busiest areas in the emirate in the regions of Al Majaz A and B, Qasimiyah and Abu Shaghara, which are considered the most crowded areas.

According to Sharjah Municipality statistics, the total number of vehicles which have been seized from residential and commercial areas is 3,941. They are impounded in the vehicle impoundment of the Sharjah Municipality located at Al labsah area.

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