Abandoned cars irk Int'l City residents
By Irene Arsenia, Staff Reporter
DUBAI - Residents of International City in Dubai have complained about the rising number of abandoned cars in the area, saying that the presence of unwanted vehicles is making it difficult for them to find parking space in their own community.
A homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, told PilipinasToday.Net on Thursday that several abandoned cars have yet to be towed away in one cluster alone. “They’re adding to our parking problems here. Besides, road surface marking for parking slots was completed months ago and now you can still see the areas where painting has been skipped because it’s occupied by an abandoned car,” the homeowner said.
PilipinasToday.Net did a random inspection of the area and found nine abandoned cars in one parking area alone. The vehicles were covered in thick dust, with many having deflated tires. Many have their number plates removed or in a state of disrepair. Some also had messages written in the dust. "That car has been parked in that area for months now," a motorist told PilipinasToday.Net.
The issue of abandoned vehicles is becoming a rising problem in Dubai. In August this year, the Dubai Municipality seized more than 2,100 vehicles and issued more than 17,400 notices to offenders.
The Dubai Municipality monitors abandoned cars for 10 days before action is taken. A notice with a 15-day grace period to the owners is then put on the vehicle before the vehicle is towed to the pound in Umm Ramool. Vehicles left unclaimed at the pound after six months will be auctioned off.
Contact
To report an abandoned car, call the Dubai Municipality hotline: 800 900
