Hundreds of Abu Dhabi drivers caught throwing litter from car windows

Police hit 355 motorists with Dh1,000 fines and six points on their licence

Drivers face Dh1,000 fine and six points on their licence if caught throwing rubbish from a vehicle. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Police

Abu Dhabi Police caught 355 motorists throwing litter from their car windows last year.

Drivers were handed Dh1,000 fines and had six points added to their licence.

Colonel Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, head of the traffic department, said the unsightly habit spoiled the city's image.

Drivers are also responsible for passengers discarding rubbish from their vehicle.

Last month, environment officials urged the public to help separate and recycle rubbish to cut down the amount sent to landfill.

In 2019, residents, companies and government departments in the capital produced more than 11 million tonnes of rubbish, from food scraps to plastic packaging and construction debris.

Just 36 per cent was sustainably treated or recycled with the remainder went to landfill sites.

"Yes, there are challenges but there is no choice; we have to reduce waste now or face the consequences," Majed Al Marzouqi, head of recycling facilities at Tadweer, said at the time.