Abu Dhabi: Mohammad Mubarak has not been issued with a single traffic fine or been in an accident during the past 20 years.
Which is why he was not afraid when he was flagged down in the capital yesterday by a convoy of cars which included a traffic police vehicle.
Radio 2: Sharjah Authorities say people need to be more aware that their negligence on the road can take lives
Audio supplied by 99.3 106 Radio 2
"I know the importance of safe driving, especially since I lost eight members of my family in a traffic road accident nearly 25 years ago," Mubarak, 39, an Emirati businessman, told Gulf News. "So when I was stopped by the police, I had nothing to worry about. My seat belt was on and I was following the rules."
Mubarak was the first winner of the week-long Caltex Roadstar contest, which aims to reward safe drivers around the country for adhering to traffic rules and showing respect for other road users.
The contest, which has been endorsed by traffic police and organised by Ciel Marketing and Events in association with the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF), presents careful drivers with certificates and cash prizes of Dh750.
It kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and will be moving to Dubai and Sharjah during the course of the week.
Ahmad Al Sharif, acting director of EMSF, said the scheme was a way of encouraging drivers to follow safety rules while driving.
"In recent years, the increased traffic means that fewer people follow traffic regulations. This is our way to reward those who respect traffic lights, speed limits and are generally safe behind the steering wheel," Al Sharif said.
Delighted
He added that most motorists were afraid when stopped by the police, so it was wonderful to see how happy drivers were when they were rewarded instead.
Major Awad Al Beloushi, who was part of Thursday's convoy and is head of public relations at the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said such campaigns were contributing to the decreasing number of road fatalities in the capital.
Six drivers were presented with Caltex Roadstar prizes.
One winner, Abdullah Mohammad Al Hosani, a 19-year-old Emirati stusdent at Zayed University, said he had just purchased his 2011-model Chevrolet Camaro and was delighted at being recognised for his driving.
"A friend of mine passed away in a road accident last month, and I am trying to respect everyone on the road," Al Hosani said.
"That said, I am looking forward to enjoying my reward."
Huansheng Ren, 28, a Chinese shop owner in Dubai, was another of the winners.
"I was simply visiting friends in the capital and I am grateful for this gift," Ren said.
Winners
Mohammad Mubarak
Hussain Yahya Al Mahri
Abdullah Mohammad Al Hosani
Ali Salem Al Suwaidi
Ren Huansheng
Naif Mohammad Saif
