Dubai: If you leave your car engine on and run to the grocery store even for a few minutes, police will fine you Dh300, a senior official warned on Sunday.
Police issued 1,960 fines to motorists who left their vehicle with their engines on in 2007. The fine was increased from Dh100 to Dh300 under the revised Federal traffic law.
Dubai Police are organising a five-day campaign, which started on Sunday, to spread awareness among motorists on the dangers of leaving their vehicles with the engine on.
The campaign also aims to reduce the problem of leaving car engines on in the coming three months by 30 per cent.
Lieutenant Colonel Ali Ganem, Director of Naif Police Station, said some motorists leave the engines of their vehicles on with the car keys inside to get something from a grocery store or a pharmacy. He said this endangers motorists and encourages thieves.
"According to statistics, 66 vehicles with engines on were stolen in 2006, while the number dropped to 26 vehicles in 2007 because of the awareness of some motorists and the efforts of police," Lt Col Ganem said.
He said according to the ministerial decision number 127 for 2008, motorists who leave the engines of their vehicles on, must be given an on-the-spot or absentia fine of Dh300.
The campaign aims to spread awareness among motorists regarding parking vehicles in appropriate places and making sure they carry their car keys after locking the door, not leaving children alone in the car and not leaving valuables in the car.
He said in the case of an emergency or the dire need to leave the car engine on such as, having sleeping children inside, there must be an adult in the car and he or she must have a suitable communication method to reach the motorist in case of any emergency.
He said in such cases, motorists should also make sure the gear and brakes are placed in a safe mode.
Have your say
Do you leave your car engine on while it's unattended? How do you think this initiative would help discipline motorists? What about when parents leave their children in cars for short durations?Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com
Your comments
This is a wonderful attempt. I really appreciate it from Dubai Police. You know if you leave your car and go to any shop, maybe children can operate the car and it could cause an accident.
Joseph
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 09:39
The authority should give first a warning and the second offence should be met with a fine of Dh300. Authorities should determine the situation on a case-to-case basis. Not all drivers leave their engine running, maybe there's a good reason why they leave the engine running. Nowadays Dh300 is too big for all the expats like me to pay the fine. I believe the authority is doing their best but they should be reasonable in charging the offender.
Claude
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 09:31
This is a good move by the police. People trust their motor vehicle engines and the company who created them to do what they expect to do, which has lead to many mishaps in various places. At least the hike in fines will be better for people who have a practice of wasting fuel by letting their transformers run for no good use.
Saf
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 09:05
I always secure my car when I have to get out for any reason. I have always thought abandoning a vehicle while its engine is on is very dangerous. The most reckless behaviour is when a motorist fills up fuel at a petrol station without even thinking whether they should switch off their vehicle engine or not.
Ala
Ajman,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 09:01
I find it quite funny. I wish they would introduce fines according to the seriousness of the offence. Taxis and private cars that stop in the line of traffic should be a priority. Who really cares if someone leaves a running car unattended, at least if it is blocking another car in, I can move it.
Jodie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 08:38
I do not see any valid reason for not imposing strict penalties for leaving the car unattended with the engine on. Since this can lead to any unforeseen trouble, drivers should be warned of the consequences through a campaign. However, if someone leaves the car with the engine on with the parking lights blinking to fetch a pizza or cake from a shop for a few minutes, they should be spared, since it is difficult to find a proper parking lot at these places.
Muralidhar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 08:31
This is another great step. I have seen people leaving kids inside cars with the engine running. Careless smokers should be next. People even smoke in petrol stations.
Shihab
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 08:21
It makes a lot of sense to have this initiative from the government. Wasting precious resources and a complete disregard to safety should be punishable under any circumstances.
Ronaldo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 14, 2008, 07:58
