Drivers express frustration over poor parking in Abu Dhabi malls

Motorists complain of drivers who deliberately occupy two parking spots to protect their expensive vehicles from scratches.

One car for each slot is not always the way in the capital’s car parks, including Khalidayah Mall, above. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // Despite facing fines of Dh300, drivers of some of the UAEs larger vehicles are still regularly taking up two spaces at mall parking lots in the capital much to the chagrin of drivers forced to take another lap around the lot trying to find an empty space.

At Abu Dhabi’s Khalidiyah Mall basement car park last week, a Nissan Patrol with an Abu Dhabi plate was parked across two spaces.

“Of course I’ll be angry if I don’t find parking where another occupied two spots but what to do? We just move on,” said Hayan Herb, 22, from Syria, who was shopping at Khalidiyah Mall.

“Motorists, no doubt, could be smart drivers but I don’t think they are smart enough to park in the narrow parking spots malls provide. Even the reverse parking is very difficult for many.”

Mr Herb, who has lived in the UAE for five years, said there should be a buffers between spaces to prevent poor parking.

At Al Wahda Mall two Toyota Land Cruisers with Abu Dhabi plates occupied more than one parking space.

“This happens very often in shopping malls parking and generally those motorists who come with expensive cars occupy two parking spots,” said Benny Chako, the mall’s parking supervisor.

“I encountered them while they were doing this but my experience was horrible.

“They blatantly told me, ‘Can’t you see how expensive my car is? If anybody would scratch or damage the car who will be responsible?’

“Sometimes if any driver complains to me I call the police who come and call the guy to remove his car or park properly.”

As mall parking is private property, Mawaqif and police cannot do anything, Mr Chako said.

“We just want to help our all customers with parking. So motorists should respect others and park properly.”

When The National asked the driver of a Mercedes that was parked across two spaces in a public lot why she was taking up extra space, she said: “It’s none of your business to ask me.

“I am waiting for somebody.”

The driver then rolled up her window to avoid further conversation.

“Maybe a driver is in a hurry and sometimes people appear to be very worried about the car being scratched because the parking spot at malls is a little bit small, so they occupy two places,” said Emirati Hamad Ibrahim, who was shopping at Al Wahda Mall.

“I drive a Nissan Patrol but it’s fine with me. For others, it may be some problem. Mostly people do not care.”

Indian Badrul Haque, 40, said it angered him to find cars occupying two slots.

During weekends and evening, it was hard to get a parking space, said Mr Haque, who was shopping at Khalidiyah Mall.

“We don’t stop to take pictures and send to them police. Instead, we move ahead for next available spot.

“They don’t care about others waiting behind to get an empty spot. We call such people selfish.”

More than once a month, people are seen to be occupying two spots in mall car parks, Mr Haque said.

According to Mawaqif, drivers face a Dh300 fine for occupying two spots in public areas.

Khalidiyah Mall and Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council refused to answer inquiries on parking policy.

More on parking in the UAE:

■ Drivers of oversized vehicles are crowding out smaller cars in UAE

■ UAE developers are providing minimum parking space mandated

■ Poor parking etiquette a headache for UAE mall visitors