Police in Al Gharbia have seized 90 quad bikes and warned drivers that operating the all-terrain vehicles can harm pedestrians, cause traffic mayhem and disturb sleeping residents. Col Hamad bin Trais al Dhahiri, director of the Abu Dhabi Police for the region, said the seizures were part of a campaign to control the misuse of the bikes following complaints about late-night noise. He also said the vehicles were a safety risk because most of their drivers did not possess licences.
The restrictions are being enforced in Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Ghaiyathi, Mirfa and Sila. Dubai has introduced new rules for off-road vehicles in recent years, making it compulsory for them to be registered with authorities. Last year, the bikes were banned from asphalt roads for riders younger than 16. This year, Ras al Khaimah said it would confiscate quad bikes driven outside the Awafi Desert. mkwong@thenational.ae
