More than 12,000 cars impounded in Dubai

Published Thursday, April 25, 2013

By Mohammed Al Sadafy

More than 12,102 cars were impounded by Dubai Traffic Police last year, according to Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zaffin, Director General of Dubai Traffic Police.

He said the seizure of 12,102 cars in 2012 represented an increase of 14.09 per cent compared to 10.289 cars impounded in 2011.

Maj Gen Al Zaffin attributed this significant increase to improved traffic control efforts and the spread of traffic patrols on all the roads to monitor and track driving offences.

Dubai Municipality has established fully-equipped impound yards in the emirate in addition to police yards in Al Qusais and Al Barsha, said Maj Gen Al Zaffin.

He explained that the reasons for impounding the vehicles included serious traffic violations, such as the accumulation of fines for violations, jumping the red signals and driving recklessly.

Some of the cars were impounded for bank claims, and some were abandoned by their owners who left the country without completing the financing with banks.

Dubai Traffic statistics indicate that of the 12,102 cars impounded, of 11,236 cars were released to their owners who cleared the reason for their seizure. Also, some cars were released after the courts issued a decision to release them.

The number of motorcycles with number plates in Dubai traffic police impound yard was 207, of which 204 were released.

The number of impounded motorbikes but without number plates was 324, of only 17 were released.

Lt. Ahmed Al Ameri, head of impound at Dubai Police Al Qusais yard, said among the bikes seized were quad bikes, which were impounded as their owners used them on public roads. “These are authorized for use only in sandy areas. Some were without a license, some were found stolen and left in deserted places, and some were found when their owners saw police and left them and fled.”

He called on the owners of the impounded cars and bikes to speed up the release of the vehicles, otherwise, the longer it took the more damage the vehicle could face.

If the vehicles are not recovered by their owners within six months, they will be auctioned following an announcement in Arabic and English newspapers.

He said that a special committee organises two auctions annually.

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