Dubai: As many as 2,300 cars were seized in the first quarter of this year after their owners were found driving recklessly and performing dangerous stunts, Traffic Police officials revealed on Sunday.

Sunday’s announcement came after Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, head of Dubai Traffic Police, met Emirati speed enthusiasts and owners of car-modifying workshops to understand the nature of their ‘hobby’ and to discuss how to curb the problem.

According to Traffic Police officials, the speedsters suggested opening a two-kilometre-long circuit where they can indulge in their hobby under the supervision of police. “We just want a 2km circuit in some remote area, where we can freely satiate our need for speed and show off our car modifications to other hobbyists,” one Emirati motorist told Maj Gen Al Zafein. “There are thousands of us, yet our opinions on this matter are rarely if ever heard. I hope our suggestions are taken into consideration.”

The owner of a car workshop said at the meeting that he cannot give up his car hobby but said he refuses to modify vehicles for those who do stunts on public roads. “We need a paved space in Dubai where we can practise our hobby,” he said. “We will arrange the necessary contingent units, like fire trucks and ambulances, to be present in case anything untoward happens. In fact, a designated space would greatly reduce driving misconduct on the roads,” he added.

He said hobbyists used to participate in events at the Dubai Autodrome. “We used to see a large turnout but now that door has been closed and we cannot find anywhere in the emirate to practise.” He said speeding enthusiasts spend thousands of dirhams on modifying their vehicles.

“One of my customers took a Dh400,000 bank loan to pay for car modifications,” he said, “but I refused and returned the money.”

Maj Gen Al Zafein said the proposal to open a designated area for speed enthusiasts would be studied before authorities take a decision. Authorities, he said, will first have to ensure that a designated speeding circuit will contain reckless driving incidents within the city. “We need to see how feasible an idea this is. We will discuss the proposal with relevant authorities. We will need to see if a designated area will actually affect on-road speeding and reckless driving.”

Maj Gen Al Zafein said most of these enthusiasts are youngsters who lack skills to perform such stunts and endanger themselves and the lives of others.

“Most of these practices, including stunts and car modifications, are illegal,” he said. “We have already recommended to the Federal Council the regulation of car-modifying technologies to contain these dangerous driving habits.”

Nevertheless, Maj Gen Al Zafein said Dubai Police can supervise the circuit and its competitions, provided that they are codified.

“Sure, Dubai Police can supervise the area, provided that it remains within the stipulations of the law,” he said, “but strict rules need to be put in place and licences need to be issued.”

Maj Gen Al Zafein stressed that the Emirates Motorsports Federation should have a role if such a circuit were to be opened. “At the very least, they should be involved in the debate and the search for a solution,” he said.