Dubai Roads: 244 vehicles impounded after drivers flee seizure sites

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai confirmed the impoundment of 244 violating vehicles after their drivers fled seizure sites. It also recorded 340 violations related to transporting passengers in unlicensed vehicles and promoting illegal transport services. In addition, 30,000 violations were recorded across various passenger transport sectors during the first half of this year. Saeed Al Balushi, Director of the Passenger Transport Activities Control Department at the Public Transport Corporation, confirmed that intensive inspection operations were carried out in cooperation with partners. The aim was to enhance compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements and improve the quality of services provided to transport users in Dubai. He said the results for the first half of this year reflect continued improvements in the efficiency of the field inspection system and the effectiveness of joint campaigns. These efforts helped raise compliance levels and strengthen discipline across various transport sectors, particularly in key locations and high-activity areas. A special focus was placed on combating unlicensed transport. During the first half of this year, the Authority conducted more than 1.6 million inspections across various passenger transport sectors. These included public transport activities and facility users, school transport, tourist transport, chartered buses, and unlicensed transport. This compares with 1.5 million inspections during the same period in 2025. With regard to violations, 30,000 were issued during the first half of this year, compared with 38,000 during the same period in 2025. This represents a decrease of about 21%, indicating improved compliance levels and the continued effectiveness of inspection campaigns in detecting violations and reducing repeat offences. Joint campaigns with the General Directorate of Airport Security, the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Investigations, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai resulted in 340 violations being recorded. These were related to the transportation of passengers in unlicensed vehicles and the promotion of illegal transport services. This compares with 797 violations during the first half of 2025, marking a decline of 57%. In addition, 244 violating vehicles were impounded after their drivers fled seizure sites. This represents a 48% decrease compared with the same period last year, indicating the effectiveness of coordination among the relevant authorities in curbing illegal activities. In the school transport sector, the Authority carried out more than 8,000 inspections over the two years. These resulted in 654 violations being issued in the first half of 2026, a decrease of 15% compared with the previous year. The compliance rate reached about 92%. In the public transport sector, the Authority carried out more than 1.2 million inspections involving public bus users, public transport facilities, and bus drivers. These inspections resulted in more than 28,000 violations being issued, while the compliance rate reached about 97.8%. As part of its oversight of passenger transport services operated by leased buses, tourist transport, and international transport, the Authority carried out more than 12,000 inspections in the first half of 2026. These inspections resulted in 602 violations being issued, with a compliance rate of 95%. These results confirm the success of the RTA's plans to strengthen field inspections and use data intelligence to guide enforcement operations more efficiently. This contributes to improving the safety of passenger transport users and reinforces Dubai's position as a global model for efficient, high-quality transport services.