Mawaqif inspectors have expedited its efforts to create public awareness regarding parking system in Abu Dhabi by distributing thousands of leaflets. Najib Al Zarouni, General Manager of Parking at the Department of Transport said that the department would take every possible step to check illegal parking by enforcing the paid parking system round the clock.

Al Zarouni told, "The move is also aimed at keeping roads and passageways clear for fire brigades, ambulances, police and municipality vehicles especially in an emergency. About 25 to 30 per cent of the underground parking facilities remain unutilized, especially at night."

Warning motorists against parking illegally in the spaces allocated for special needs or near fire hydrants, Al Zarouni said that fines would be slapped on the offenders to check the rising trend of parking illegally.

The authorities have already identified 2,500 spaces located between Hamdan Street and Baniyas Street for legal paid parking and 75000 more locations are intended to be covered across 43 sectors of the city in coming two years.

Parking fees would vary from place to place and it would be Dh3 per hour at the premium parking lots while Dh2 per hour for a maximum of 24 hours in the standard spaces.