RoadStar makes Abu Dhabi debut

Abu Dhabi: The journey began at around 11am along the Corniche Road. Three vehicles, one a police car and two four-wheel drives discreetly watched the car in front of them, which they had marked.

There!...an officer said in dismay, as the driver took a right turn without indicating. The police quit following the car and looked around for a new target.

A group of traffic police officials were on a different duty altogether yesterday. Instead of looking out for offenders they played the good guys by handing over Dh750 in cash and certificates of honour to drivers who abided by traffic laws.

The task was part of the Caltex RoadStar Campaign, which made its debut in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

After 11 years and 19 successful editions in Dubai, the RoadStar contest, organised by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF) has been extended to the capital in a bid to create safety awareness among residents.

Although Dubai drivers are familiar with the contest most in the capital were unaware of it, so the exercise had a bitter-sweet effect.

First, the shock of being chased and asked to pull over by a police officer, then a few minutes of suspense, the examination of the driver's licence and finally a pat on the back and gifts.

After a few misses, the driver of the third car, was identified as the campaign's first safe driver.

Shia Gul Hamed Gul, a driver by profession, was then given the good news. Hailing from Afghanistan, Gul has been driving in the UAE since 1981.

"I am very happy...I will send this money to my family back home", he said, expressing his joy over the endorsement he received for all the years of driving without a single accident or traffic fine.

Within a few minutes, the next driver was spotted. Dawn J Lawis, a British driver for 20 years said she was about to go into a shopping mall to get a birthday gift for her son. The extra cash was useful.

Another winner was laundry worker Abdul Majeed, who earns Dh2,500 a month. Emirati Hussain Eid Al Ghafli, a sports car driver guessed he had been fined before getting the good news.

A dozen win cash