A total of 11,897 parking fines were issued last month in Abu Dhabi as a result of the recently introduced paid-for parking rules.
The number of tickets for illegal or improper parking increased by 43 percent in February from the previous month, when 6,800 fines were issued.
Najib Al Zarooni, general manager of parking at the Department of Transport, told the Khaleej Times, the reason for the hike was because of new paid parking zones and harsher controls on all areas.
Last month, officials said paid-for parking rules would be extended to weekends and public holidays and from February 21 apply on a 24-hour basis.
“We do not intend to collect fines but want the public to avoid irregularities. We aim to ensure availability of parking spaces in a feasible manner for public convenience,” he told the paper.
The Mawaqif parking management programme is part of a clampdown on illegally parked vehicles in the UAE capital.
Fifty three inspectors have been employed to monitor paid parking zones in Abu Dhabi and a further 42 are currently in training.
