Motorists named stars of the road

Dubai: Samira Chaaban was terrified when she was followed by a car on Tuesday morning until she parked near a shopping mall and found out that her safe driving skills had won her the Caltex Roadstar Contest.

The contest, organised by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF) in association with the traffic police, kicked off on Monday in the capital. It started yesterday in Dubai.

The objective of the contest is to promote safe driving habits, organisers said. A group of traffic police officials, along with EMSF officials, are touring the city in unmarked vehicles on the lookout for drivers who follow traffic rules and regulations.

"I looked at the police officer in the vehicle and told him ‘Did I do something wrong?'" she said.

"They really took me by surprise. I kept asking him when I saw the cameras if it was a Candid Camera show," she added.

Discreet

Officials discreetly follow drivers for a while before deciding on their driving skills. Safe drivers who are chosen are awarded a cash prize of Dh750 along with a certificate from the traffic department.

For 38-year-old taxi driver Ashraf Farouk the contest is a great motivation for people who abide by the traffic regulations.

"I highly respect this country for their road and traffic regulations. Following the rules helps discipline the driving habits of the public. From my two years experience, I have witnessed significant improvements in the way people drive. You still witness reckless driving habits but it is getting better thanks to the monitoring and fines imposed," he said.

Thani Al Falasi recommended tougher traffic regulations and increased advice from parents to teach their children about the etiquette of driving.

"Safe driving is not the sole responsibility of authorities but the entire community, starting from the household," said the 57-year-old Emirati, who has never had a fine or caused an accident during his 38 years of driving.