The team concerned in studying the phenomenon of neglected vehicles In Muscat Municipality studies draft resolution to deal with neglected vehicles in the streets and public places
The importance of prevention of health, social, and security damages emerges from neglected vehicles in the streets, districts and public spaces in Muscat Governorate became one of the priorities that the Municipal Council of the Muscat Governorate that seeks to regulate such phenomenon; and based on that, the team concerned in studying the same has been formulated upon Municipal Council Resolution No. (15/3/2013), It discussed within its first meeting the draft resolution on neglected vehicles in public areas referred to the same by the council by presence of team members of representatives of Municipal Council, Muscat Municipality, Royal Oman Police in the headquarter of Muscat Municipality, and the meeting started with discussion among the members on the damages caused the neglected vehicles as it deface the getup and deemed as place for rodents in addition that vehicle enables commitment of unresponsible actions. as well as hazards of break out of fires. They stressed the need to identify cases in which the vehicle is classified as neglected vehicle and the importance of reviewing the mechanism of dealing with it and the best way of disposal.
Based on that, the suggestion of the Municipal Council Secretariat on the draft resolution regulating mechanism of dealing with these kinds of vehicles has been discussed, in accordance with the Local Order No. (1/2006) on the protection of the public health, Traffic Law and its executive regulation. Where Article (79) of the executive regulation of Traffic Law stipulated that "A Vehicle may not be left in roads to avoid accidents or obstruction to traffic flow." The Article (131) of the same Regulation stipulated that "the neglected vehicle may be seized if it is found neglected in any place on the road." The Council pointed that this article did not address the other places like parks, public squares and parks, common areas in buildings, rails, alleys, neighborhoods and other similar areas. In addition, the provisions of the Traffic Law and its executive regulation permits seizure of the vehicle based on being in violatation to the traffic law and its regulation, relevant to the preservation of traffic safety, prevention of accidents, and obstruction of traffic flow on the road.
After listening to the members` opinions and exchanging of views, the team recommended to study suggested resolution on neglected vehicles in public areas in a way satisfies all details relevant to the definition of neglected vehicles, mechanism of dealing with them, and the actions taken regarding the same in a precise and detailed manner and put it in a comprehensive and clear legal framework. They emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the suggestions made by the Legal Department, and Directorates General of Muscat Municipality in (Seeb, Bawshar, Muttrah, Amrat, Quriyat) in its capacity as concerned bodies.
As side action, the competencies of Aucition Committee in Royal Omani Police specialized in selling the neglected vehicles seized in the municipality warehouse for speedy disposal.has been discussed in such meeting. In addition to discussing the importance of developing awareness programs in coordination with the municipal directorates to combat parking of neglected trucks and vehicles in neighborhoods and public squares.