Nearly 5,000 vehicles have been impounded for being too dirty since the beginning of last year

We’ve all seen them, those uber-dusty vehicles parked on the side of the road for months at a time, often with the words “Clean Me!” scrawled across the windshield. Are they abandoned? Are their owners on an extended summer break? One thing’s for sure, they’re a proper eyesore. 

Well, Dubai Municipality has had enough. The local civic body yesterday launched a campaign to raise awareness amongst residents to not abandon their cars and keep them clean whilst they are out of the country, or face hefty fines.

Speaking to Gulf News, Abdul Majeed Abdul Aziz Al Safaie, director of the Waste Management Department of Dubai Municipality, was quoted as saying “There will be a minimum of six months’ time before the impounded cars are auctioned. If the owner wants to retrieve the car before that he or she has to pay these fines,”

The fines in question total Dhs1,381, with additional municipal fees, storage charges and a towing fee applicable.

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From the beginning of 2016 until the end of June of this year, Dubai Municipality have issued 37,347 warnings to owners of dirty cars parked in public locations. 4,930 of these vehicles ended up being towed away and impounded by municipal inspectors when owners exceeded the 15-day deadline given to get them cleaned up.

“It’s a cleaning issue for us,” Al Safaie continues, “These cars affect the aesthetic appearance of Dubai and also can cause safety issues.”

Hear hear. He also urged residents who are planning to go on long vacations to make arrangements to have their cars cleaned regularly whilst they are away.

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