Smart device for vehicle impounding

A new smart device will be used to impound vehicles, involved in certain traffic offences, at the homes of their owners, revealed Brigadier Mohamed Saad al-Kharji, director general of the General Directorate of Traffic.

The device, with a battery that can last up to six months, is connected to the Traffic Department with a tracking system which records any movement of the vehicle during the impounding. Captain Riyadh Ahmed, head of Traffic Awareness Section, pointed out that the new "smart impounding" will work through sending an SMS to the violators to report with the vehicle in question to the department concerned. Once the device is installed on a vehicle, it has to be parked at the destination within two hours and if the vehicle is moved before the impounding is over, the activity will be tracked automatically and legal measures initiated against the violator. The owner will be notified once the impounding is over and the device deactivated. "The new system would further guarantee the safety of the vehicle and avoid any potential mishandling during towing and parking for long periods, as the vehicle will be with its owner," added Captain Ahmed.