Double parking adds to Dubai weekend woes

Despite parking lines demarcating the right space for each car, many motorists fail to confirm and end up taking up two spaces instead of one.

With summer setting in, and mall visits on the rise, many motorists claim double parking woes are on the rise.

“It is extremely frustrating when people can’t take a few extra minutes to park right,” asserted Rohit Kumar, who narrated how he often spots such violations in mall parking slots, where space is limited.

Improper parking just adds to the weekend madness at the malls. “One time I spotted an entire row of cars parked in double slots at the Mall of the Emirates parking. The first car must have violated the space, and the others must have followed. It just shows how we need a crash course in basic civic sense,” voiced Barsha resident Nigel.

Richa, another regular weekend mall trawler, blamed such violations on city lifestyle. “No one cares how it will inconvenience the others. People are leading isolated lives, and have no time to worry about anyone else.”

The issue, however, isn’t restricted only to mall parking. There are cars parked at any corner, even if it means obstructing another car. “I’ve been stuck in a parking lot for 15 minutes because a man parked right behind my car and happily went grocery shopping,” said Craig.

Such violators are fined Dh200 for “prohibited parking or improper parking in the controlled zone”.

Despite that, most people continue to indulge in it, even leaving behind their number on a piece of paper stuck to their car. “When I stepped out to look for the driver who parked his car right behind mine, I saw a mobile number stuck on his windshield. And, when I dialled the number and informed the person, he rushed to the site and took my parking slot when I left,” reported Nilesh.

Although such culprits are penalised, the issue continues to persist, with many doubting if the punishment is too negligible for the offender. “The fine should be increased and the Dubai police must confiscate the cars for a few days. Only then will they learn a lesson,” insisted Bur Dubai resident Derick Emmanuel.

There are even those who misuse the handicapped slot. “So many times I’ve spotted people parking in the handicapped area even when they don’t have any physical challenges. This is insensitive,” added Neel, a Qusais resident.

The fine for this offence stands at Dh500.

All such parking violations can be reported by dialling 8009090 or 999.