Abu Dhabi Police issue fresh warning on unattended vehicles with engines running

Abu Dhabi Police issue fresh warning on unattended vehicles with engines running

Abu Dhabi Police have issued a renewed warning to motorists against leaving vehicles with engines running while making quick stops at shops, petrol stations, ATMs or mosques, highlighting serious risks including theft, fires and child endangerment.

The Directorate of Traffic and Security Patrols instructed drivers to switch off their engines and remove keys whenever stepping away from their vehicles, regardless of how brief the absence may be.

Police particularly cautioned against leaving children, especially infants, inside running vehicles, describing the practice as creating severe safety hazards. Temperatures inside locked vehicles parked under direct sunlight can reach up to 60 degrees Celsius, and experts warn that leaving a child inside can result in death in fewer than 10 minutes due to heatstroke and suffocation.

Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle carries serious legal consequences under Article 35 of the Wadeema Law, with penalties including imprisonment and fines of up to Dh5,000, rising to Dh10,000 in cases involving endangerment to life.

Theft and fire risks

Authorities noted that some motorists continue leaving vehicles unattended with engines running, creating opportunities for opportunistic thieves. Dubai Police have reported that criminals commonly target idle cars at petrol stations and in front of shops where owners step out for quick errands, with many stolen vehicles having been left with engines running and keys inside.

Vehicle owner negligence remains a persistent problem. Abu Dhabi Police previously reported that failure to lock car doors was the main reason behind thefts of car contents in the emirate.

The practice also exposes vehicles to potential mechanical failures and fire-related incidents. In 2024, 43 percent of vehicle fires in the UAE were directly linked to extreme heat, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai recording 2,189 car fires during a heatwave that reached 52 degrees Celsius.

Legal penalties

Abu Dhabi Police reminded drivers of their legal obligations under UAE traffic regulations, which prohibit leaving vehicles with engines running when unattended. Violations related to failing to comply with traffic signs and instructions carry a Dh500 fine according to the Federal Traffic Law.

The UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on Traffic and Road Regulations, which took effect in March 2025, introduced stricter regulations and penalties to enhance road safety across the country.

Motorists who pay traffic fines within 60 days of the violation date receive an automatic 35 percent discount in Abu Dhabi, though this excludes certain serious violations such as excessive speeding.

The warning comes as part of ongoing police efforts to improve vehicle safety and security. The scale of child endangerment cases underscores the urgency of the issue—Dubai Police rescued 39 children left behind in locked vehicles over a seven-month period in 2021, with officials warning that extreme heat inside vehicles can reach up to 70 degrees Celsius.