More than 2,000 abandoned cars seized as part of Dubai clean-up drive

Motorists are being warned that dumped vehicles could be sold off at auction

More than 2,000 abandoned cars gathering dust in Dubai have been seized as part of a clean-up drive.

Thousands of abandoned cars have been seized by Dubai Municipality so far this year.

The authority said it has towed away about 2,400 dumped vehicles as part of an ongoing drive to enhance the appearance of the emirate.

Municipality chiefs are stepping up their efforts by launching a new campaign, called My Vehicle, warning motorists that neglected cars left to gather dust will be taken to the scrapyard if they “distort the general appearance of the city”.

Offending vehicles will have a sticker placed on their window for 15 days before moved to a municipality scrapyard.

If there has been no response from the owner after six months, the cars will then be sold off at auction.

“The aim of this campaign is to raise the level of community awareness on the damages done by neglected vehicles, and promote the values of social responsibility in maintaining the sustainability of the public appearance and beauty of public utilities,” said Abdulmajeed Saifaie, Director of Waste Management Department at Dubai Municipality.

Officials will also visit workshops and garages in a number of areas such as Umm Ramool, Al Qusais, Jebel Ali and Port Saeed to raise awareness of the campaign.