4,500 illegal cabbies held in Abu Dhabi in 2018

Abu Dhabi - Some of the drivers of these illegal taxis may not have the licences issued by UAE authorities.

Thousands of motorists were held in Abu Dhabi last year after authorities caught them operating illegal taxi services. The Abu Dhabi Police said they confiscated 4,491 private cars, whose drivers were found picking up passengers from different roads in the emirate and transporting them to the city centre and its suburbs.
Col Mohammed Hussein Al Khoury, director of the transport security department at the Abu Dhabi Police, said such a violation poses serious dangers to the public.
"Some of the drivers of these illegal taxis may not have the licences issued by UAE authorities, and others may even be staying in the country illegally," said Col Al Khoury.
Investigations suggest that most of the cars involved in illicit operations are owned by individuals who employ unlicensed drivers.
Illegal cabbies usually transport commuters to the city outskirts like Musaffah industrial area, the Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Bani Yas and other areas, especially in the morning and evening or over the weekend.
Some people in Abu Dhabi, mostly the workers, use illegal taxis because of the lower fares. These private cars are often driven by Asian men who charge from Dh10 per person and travel with four passengers at a time.
The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Car has previously cautioned the public against using illegal taxis because they may also be uninsured. "If you ride in one of these taxis and you get in an accident and become seriously injured, there's no insurance for the illegal taxis to cover their passengers."
The passengers would have to spend their own money on medical care should they be injured in an accident.
People have been asked to ride only the cabs with certified licence plates.
The police have called on all community members to help them and the municipality in eradicating the practice by immediately reporting those who engage in such an activity.
According to the Federal Traffic Law, the penalty for illegally transporting passengers includes a fine of Dh3,000, loss of 24 traffic points, and a 30-day car confiscation.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi