Campaign to reward safe drivers with Dh1,000 cash prize

Porsche Centre Dubai has partnered with the police forces of Dubai and Sharjah in an innovative road safety campaign that rewards safe driving on the emirates’ roads.

The biannual RoadStar contest, which began on March 23 and ends on March 27, has a pair of Porsche Cayenne SUVs — provided by Porsche Centre Dubai and driven by Dubai Police and Sharjah Police traffic officers — patrol the roads during three traffic rush hours each day.

Rather than issuing fines for dangerous driving, the traffic officers will reward the emirates’ most conscientious drivers with instant cash prizes of Dh1,000 along with a ‘safe driver’ certificate.

Now in its 31st edition, RoadStar is supported by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF). A minimum of 10 good drivers will be awarded on a daily basis, with a total amount of Dh50,000 to be distributed for the five-day campaign.

Drivers who observe basic principles of safe driving — such as wearing seat belts, using child safety seats and hands-free mobiles, and who display courtesy in addition to adhering to speed limits — will come under the patrol’s scanner.

“The RoadStar contest is a fantastic initiative that promotes and rewards safe drivers on Dubai and Sharjah roads,” said K. Rajaram, CEO of Al Nabooda Automobiles, the sole distributor for Porsche in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. “The concept of rewarding safe drivers and creating a buzz around them is important because it has an immediate positive impact on the drivers and their circle of friends and family.

This is a highly effective way of spreading a positive road safety culture among our citizens, and Porsche Centre Dubai is delighted to team-up with the Emirates Motor Sports Federation as well as Dubai Police and Sharjah Police in promoting this worthy cause.”

Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of Automobile and Touring Club of UAE and Emirates Motor Sports Federation, said: “The federation has been at the helm of this initiative since its inception, and while it may not necessarily have altered the driving habits of the majority of road users, RoadStar has certainly built more awareness of the need to drive safely.”

According to the Pulitzer Centre’s ‘Roads Kill map’, published with World Health Organisation statistics, there are 12.7 road deaths per 100,000 population in the UAE — the second lowest of all the GCC nations.

The RoadStar contest, organised by Ciel Events, and co-sponsored by RSA Insurance and EMA Lubricants, ended in Dubai yesterday and will move to Sharjah from today.

news@khaleejtimes.com