Thousands of motorists in Abu Dhabi have been fined Dh400 each for failing to keep the number plates on their vehicles visible.
Abu Dhabi Police said they issued 5,177 fines to drivers of light and heavy vehicles in the past six months for this reason. Last year, 5,380 motorists were fined for the same offence.
The force said motorists must ensure their registration plates are visible and warned against transporting items that may partly or wholly cover them.
Number plate theft reaches 'alarming' rate
Police said lorry drivers sometimes use covers or stretch hoses around the number plate, obscuring part of it, and that others failed to regularly check the plates could be seen.
The force said it will intensify traffic control on the emirate’s roads to detect offences related to vehicle plate numbers and take legal action against offenders.
Anyone caught tampering with a number plate will have their vehicle confiscated, as per UAE traffic law. The motorist must pay Dh50,000 to have it released.