Dubai: There was a surprise gift for safe riders in Dubai. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) gave away Dh1,000 cash prizes to 20 safe bicycle and e-scooter riders in a two-day initiative.
“As part of the Traffic Week activities, an initiative was launched to honour the users of bicycles and e-scooters,” Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency, at RTA, said on Thursday.
She said the Agency, in collaboration with Dubai Police, distributed a total of Dh20,000 to 20 exemplary drivers and users of bikes and e-scooters over two consecutive days at various locations.
The “Safe Riders” of bicycles and e-scooters were chosen randomly to receive Dh1,000 each.
The official said RTA also introduced an array of fresh initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and traffic departments across the UAE to mark the Unified Gulf Traffic Week (6-12th March 2023 (held under the theme “Your Life is a Trust.”
The initiatives have been launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and traffic departments across the UAE to mark the Unified Gulf Traffic Week (March 6-12. It is being held under the theme “Your Life is a Trust.”
Bin Adai said, “RTA is rolling out a broad range of initiatives during the Unified Gulf Traffic Week 2023 targeting different groups such as children, students, cyclists, scooter riders, individuals who have been injured in traffic accidents, as well as the public.
She said the Agency participated in a special stand within the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion at Global Village, along with traffic departments in the UAE.
Traffic safety
“The focus of RTA was to raise awareness about traffic safety requirements for bike and e-scooter users, and stress the importance of fastening seat belts and pedestrian safety. The agency sought the assistance of its strategic partners in the exhibition, such as Emirates Driving Institute, which brought in a kinetic device that rotates a life-size vehicle on a horizontal axis to educate participants on the significance of seat belts during a vehicle rollover. Additionally, Careem BIKE showcased a bicycle rental station in Dubai and gave simplified explanations about traffic safety requirements while using bikes,” said Bin Adai.
Golden rules of safety
“The Agency also launched the “Golden Rules for Generational Safety” initiative during the Gulf Traffic Week in collaboration with Tristar at the Zayed Education Complex in Al Barsha.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of more than 100,000 first and second-cycle students in Dubai schools regarding school safety guidelines via e-mail. Furthermore, approximately 10,000 students were directly targeted by deploying mobile traffic villages at schools. The initiative also involved the distribution of innovative gifts and educational brochures accompanied by scientific questionnaires to measure students’ awareness and knowledge trends,” noted Bin Adai.
Accident vistims
The Traffic and Roads Agency arranged for high school students to visit traffic accident victims at Rashid Hospital in Dubai to raise awareness about the risks associated with traffic accidents and their impact on road users’ lives. Additionally, awareness activities included educational lectures for mothers on child seat safety at some Hospitals and Malls in Dubai, and distribution of Salama magazine at the RTA’s stand in the Global Village. There was also an introduction of the ‘In Safe Hands’ service for children and women offered by the Dubai Taxi Corporation.
The Agency added that it continued this March with its monthly awareness campaign via messages on billboards and the virtual messaging signs on the streets of Dubai. She encouraged the public to heed these traffic awareness messages, enjoy the activities of the Gulf Traffic Week, and collaborate in promoting traffic safety in Dubai,” said Bin Adai.
