Roadstar winners cash in by being safe motorists

Sharjah: Katherine Araissi, one of yesterday's winners of the Caltex Roadstar Campaign, said that motorists should be properly trained to obey traffic rules and display courtesy on the roads.

"It would be a good idea if the Ministry of Education taught children road manners so that the little ones can remind the adults," said Katherine, who has been driving since 1972.

"Driving here is terrible because motorists show no regard to others and authorities should make them abide to traffic rules."

The contest, organised by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF), in association with the traffic police, ended yesterday in Sharjah.

The objective of the contest is to promote safe driving habits, organisers said.

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

Mandeep Singh, 25, has been driving for two and a half years was proud to say that he has never received a traffic fine.

Perfect timing

"I received the cash reward at the perfect time because I am going to India in a few days, so I will be buying gifts today."

Damodaran Rajendran, from Kerala was heading to Al Rolla when he was stopped by the police. "I was very worried but after learning I had won, I was thrilled." He said drivers should take maximum care while driving because they might be putting theirs and other people's lives at risk.

Another winner, Alex Villafana, 33 from the Philippines, has been driving in the Middle East for eight years and has not received any traffic violations till date. He intends on giving the money to charity. "I have not worked for the money, so I might as well give it to someone who needs it."

Drivers were judged based on whether they follow basic rules such as wearing a seat belt, using hands-free cell phone sets, using indicators, child safety seats, observing lane discipline and courtesy in addition to adhering to speed limits.

In total, Dh60,000 were given out in cash rewards.