Sharjah: After three days and Dh30,000 handed out to careful drivers in Dubai and then Sharjah, a road safety campaign drew to a close.
On Wednesday, the Sharjah Police pulled over 10 drivers. Instead of a fine, the surprised motorists were then handed certificates for safe driving – and Dh1,000 each.
While on a drive through Buheirah Corniche in Sharjah, Sudhir Shetty, an Indian expat, was pulled over by the emirate’s police.
“I had no idea what was going on,” said Shetty, who manages a travel company. “They asked me for the driving licence and mulukia (car registration card). They then explained that I had won.
“I was surprised, more than happy. I will spend it on my family,” he added.
While driving around Sharjah, where he works as a driver for a perfumes company, Shabbir Patel, an Indian expat, was surprised to be pulled over.
“I was scared at first because I thought that perhaps I did something wrong.”
After receiving a certificate and Dh1,000 prize, Patel has clear plans.
“I’m going to buy my wife some gold jewellery,” he said, adding some words of advice.
“Safe driving is not just about your own safety, but it’s for the safety of other pedestrians. Motorists should always follow traffic laws.”
The campaign, led by a motor oil company, is called the Mobil 1 GoldStar Contest, and created by Ciel Marketing & Events, a Dubai firm. Oman Insurance and Porsche Centre Dubai were co-sponsors.
Giving rewards to safe road users is a “catalyst” for educating people on the importance of road safety rules “however simple they may be”, said Samy Elansary, general manager of EMA Lubricants Company, Mobil’s local seller.
“Respecting road rules and remaining courteous to other drivers must become a conscious habit,” Roshanara Sait, the campaign’s founder.
“[The contest] acts as a reminder to do so and keep UAE roads safe.”
