More than 5,000 people in Dubai opt to have their cars impounded virtually

The service allows residents to choose to keep their vehicles at home, rather than have them taken to a police lot

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , April 16– 2020 :- Dubai Police officer stopping the private vehicles and checking the movement permit near Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Dubai is conducting 24 hours sterilisation programme across all areas and communities in the Emirate and told residents to stay at home. UAE government told residents to wear face mask and gloves all the times outside the home whether they are showing symptoms of Covid-19 or not.  (Pawan Singh / The National) For News/Online/Instagram
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Thousands of people have opted to have their car impounded on their driveways in Dubai since the start of the year.

In total, more than 5,100 drivers have used the “smart impound” system, which allows residents to keep their vehicles at home, rather than have them taken to a police lot, in return for a Dh420 fee.

It works by using a tracker, which notifies Dubai Police if the car has been moved from the spot.

"Since it was launched in 2018, the smart impound system has helped motorists impound their cars outside their villa or parking lot," said Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of the General Directorate of Traffic at Dubai Police.

"To ensure that impounded cars are not driven, a small tracking device will be installed inside the vehicle to alert the police and will be visible on a map in the command room.”