Why is Abu Dhabi Police confiscating electric scooters? Senior officer explains

Abu Dhabi Police have intensified their enforcement of electric scooter regulations, confiscating 9,237 scooters in the first ten months of 2026, according to Colonel Jaber Saeedan Al Mansouri, Director of Traffic and Security Patrols Department - Al Ain. The objective is not to eliminate the scooters, but rather to prevent injuries and protect pedestrians and other road users by curbing dangerous practices.

Al Mansouri explained that electric scooters are used by people of various ages, from children to adults, but unsafe riding practices have caused problems for pedestrians and led to accidents and injuries. Unsafe behaviors include riding scooters on roads between moving vehicles, using pedestrian pathways in ways that obstruct people, and failing to wear protective gear.

The confiscation follows an announcement by Abu Dhabi Police that highlighted the risks associated with electric scooters, such as being used on public roads, between vehicles, and in unauthorized areas. Police identified other dangerous practices, like riding without helmets and paying insufficient attention to surrounding traffic.

Al Mansouri emphasized that police would continue awareness campaigns alongside field inspections and enforcement operations to promote responsible use of electric scooters. The aim is to ensure that scooters remain a safe means of personal transport instead of causing inconvenience or injury to others. Police urge riders to use only designated routes, wear helmets and safety equipment, and avoid riding on public roads or between vehicles.