Nearly 1,600 motorists opted to have their cars impounded at home in January and February, Dubai Police said.
Launched in 2018, the smart impound service gives drivers the option to pay a fee to keep an impounded vehicle at home, rather than having it moved to a police impound yard.
To ensure drivers do not attempt use their cars, a tracker is installed.
Brig Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of the General Directorate of Traffic at Dubai Police, said 1,598 motorists used the smart service in the first two months of 2021.
“This system has given motorists a third option of keeping their impounded vehicles at home, instead of having them taken to a police lot or paying a sum of cash in return for not having them impounded,” he said.
Police said 6,775 drivers used the service in 2020.
Motorists pay a monthly fee of Dh420 ($114), until their cars are released after paying outstanding fines.
“Since it was launched in 2018, the service has helped motorists keep their impounded cars outside their own villa or in their own parking lot,” Brig Al Mazroui said.
The tracker installed in the car notifies police if the vehicle is driven.
“The car will be visible on a map in the command room and the device will send a notification if it moves,” Brig Al Mazroui said.
Motorists will be fined for moving an impounded car and the vehicle will be towed to a police impound lot.
Requests to use the service can be made via the Dubai Police app or website.
