Abandoned cars like this are a common sight in many Jeddah neighborhoods.

Jeddah’s residents have expressed concerns about the rising number of broken down and abandoned cars cluttering the various neighborhoods in the city.

Jeddah Mayoralty spokesman, Muhammad Al-Baqmi agreed with the residents and said that warnings will be given to the car owners whose cars are still lying abandoned in parking lots or in front of houses. “The municipality has already towed away 700 damaged cars in the city,” he told Arab News, adding that about 70 percent of these abandoned cars were found in residential areas such as Al-Ruwais, Al-Baghdadiyah, Al-Sabeel, Al-Mathloum, Al-Balad and Al-Karantina.

Ali Matari, who lives in Al-Baghdadiyah filed a complaint with the mayoralty about the more than 40 damaged cars which were hurting the image of his neighborhood.

Ali Al-Ghamdi pointed out that many of the cars had been out on the streets for over six months. “This has serious ramifications for the health of residents and the environment,” he complained to Arab News, adding that such cars are sometimes used as dumpsters by residents.

The municipality will put warning signs on vehicles asking the owners to remove them within 15 days of the notice following which they will be towed away. “But this will be done only after we have ensured that there are no criminal activities associated with the car,” Al-Baqmi said.

A committee has been formed comprising the mayoralty, traffic police, police and criminal investigation department that will be responsible for removing the damaged vehicles, he said.