Drivers warned not to park in front of fire hydrants or in disabled spaces in Dubai

Police say there were almost 5,000 such offences in the first five months of this year and offenders can receive fines of Dh1,000 and four black points.

Dubai Police will be cracking down on drivers who park in disabled spaces without a disabled badge. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Police have warned drivers of a clampdown on parking in front of fire hydrants and in disabled spaces.

Dubai Police recorded 4,793 offences involving people parking in front of hydrants and in disabled and ambulance spaces in the first five months of the year.

Fines of Dh1,000 and four black points are applicable for offenders under traffic laws.

“Parking vehicles in front of fire hydrants and in places reserved for disabled persons is not only a violation of other’s rights but also uncivilised and unacceptable behaviour,” said Col Saif Mohair Al Mazrouei, acting director of the General Directorate of Traffic in Dubai.

Police plan to tighten control of disabled spaces by using a radar called The Sergeant, which will be installed by this year.

“Parking in front of fire hydrants and in spaces reserved for disabled motorists under the pretext that there are no other places available is a blatant violation of the law,” Col Al Mazrouei said.

Offences of this type occurred more often at night because many motorists believed they could get away with it then, but Col Al Mazrouei said night patrols were always on the lookout for such offenders.

Police in the emirate also recorded 48 instances of people parking in spaces reserved for emergency services this year.