Dubai: The Mobil 1 GoldStar road safety campaign ended on Wednesday with the awarding of 10 people in Sharjah for strictly following traffic rules.
Each winner received a Dh1,000 cash prize, and a sticker and certificate attesting their good standing as a safe road user.
The three-day campaign was held in Dubai on Monday and Tuesday, before coming to a close on Wednesday in Sharjah.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Sharjah Police had joined forces with Mobil 1, EMA Lubricants Company (ExxonMobil JV) and Ciel Marketing & Events in the campaign.
The initiative was supported by Gulf News and Wheels.
Authorities had observed motorists’ road behaviour before stopping them. The winners didn’t know why they were pulled over, with some wondering if they had committed a violation. Instead, the winners were informed about the campaign and awarded.
A total of 30 people won Dh1,000 each in the initiative’s Responsible Road Users Award, which concluded its second edition on Wednesday.
John Xavier, 55, who was pulled over by Sharjah Police on Al Arouba Street in Sharjah, said: “I was scared because I thought maybe I had done something wrong while driving, although I always follow traffic rules, wear the seat belt, obey speed limits, and signal when turning. When they told me they had found me to be a good driver and they wanted to award me, I was so happy. I will give the Dh1,000 I won as a gift to my daughter,” said Xavier, who is from India and works in sales.
Another winner, Talat Ebrahim Mahmoud, 61, was stopped on Buhairah Corniche. “I knew I had done nothing wrong because I always drive safely. I thought maybe there’s a problem with my car that the police want to point out. They told me I had won; something like this has never happened to me before. I will keep the prize money attached to the certificate as a reminder and inspiration to myself and my sons to always drive safe,” said Mahmoud, who is a jewellery shop manager.
