Residents who are going for a long summer vacation are not only making sure they leave their homes secure, but are also taking measures to ensure their cars are kept clean and tidy.
Some of them were previously fined for leaving their cars looking grimy in public parking lots while they were away on vacation. They are now taking proactive steps so they will not be penalised again and can enjoy their holidays worry-free.
One among them is Sharjah resident Hadi Amani, who will be going home to Shiraz, Iran, for 20 days for summer vacation. He told Khaleej Times: “I am hiring a cleaner to maintain my vehicle while I am away. It’s not only about avoiding fines, but I always want to just keep my car tidy.”
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Dubai resident Abdul Rahman Eltahir, who lives in Al Nahda, meanwhile, did not want a repeat of what happened to him last time he went for his summer vacation. “I was surprised when I returned to Dubai, I got a fine of Dh500 for not keeping my car clean. I parked my car near my house and there was no one to take care of it,” added the Egyptian expat, who works at an automobile company.
“Now, before travelling, I will leave my car at the office and give the key to one of my colleagues. The parking is indoors and my car will not collect dust while I’m away,” he added.
In Abu Dhabi, Mohd AbuSalem, a Jordanian residing on Hamdan Street, has enlisted the help of his brother, Ahmed, to clean his car once a week. He said: “A friend of mine, who was away for a month, was fined Dh3,000 last year for having a dirty car. I’m not taking any chances so I’ve asked by brother to take care of my car while I’m away.”
Crackdown on ‘dirty cars’
Last year, authorities in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, ramped up inspections to clear parking lots and public places of abandoned cars. Some residents who just returned from long holidays were surprised to receive a Dh3,000 fine.
Municipal officials said rules must be followed to prevent health hazards and “not tarnish the aesthetic appearance of the city” and owners are required to maintain cleanliness of their cars
The policy in Dubai against dirty cars has been enforced since July 2019. According to the Dubai Municipality, residents will be issued a Dh500 fine if they leave their vehicle parked in public parking spaces, unwashed for a long period of time.
There are inspectors who look after abandoned vehicles. Once an unkempt car is identified, a notice will be placed on the vehicle’s windshield and the owner is given up to 15 days grace period to clean the car, lest it will be impounded by authorities.
Back in 2021, Sharjah Municipality impounded a total of 3,911 ‘abandoned cars’ across the emirate in the first six months of the year alone.
‘Keep your vehicle in top shape’
Emirati traffic safety researcher Dr Mostafa Al Dah said: “Motorists must take note that washing their cars at least once a week can help prevent the vehicle exterior from rusting. A clean car also means that you maintain your vehicle in top shape.”
“Cars can be kept at a garage or underground parking. Owners can ask a friend or family member to have the car cleaned. This is not only to keep the car clean but also for security purposes,” added Al Dah, who was the former head of Traffic Studies Section at Dubai Police.
Al Dah noted: “The exterior temperatures are very high during summer in our region, ever reaching the upper limits of what cars were designed to operate at. When direct sunlight is combined with ultraviolet (UV) exposure – during peak sunlight hours – this can be very damaging to plastics and organic materials. Telltale signs that a car spends most of the time in the sun can be seen in the headlights as they turn a shade of yellow and start to haze and crack.”
Al Dah reiterated the following advice for car owners who will be away this summer:
- Give the key to a friend who can start it and run it for a short while (once a week, run the engine for 10 minutes, and drive it a short while if possible).
- Find a shaded place to park the car, or invest in a cover (car covers start at around Dh150).
- Ensure the tyre pressures are at the recommended pressure, or 5 to 10 per cent higher to ensure they don’t go flat, as tyres can naturally leak a little bit of air over time.
- Use sun shades on the interior of the car glass, if you must leave it in a place exposed to the sun, even for part of the day.