ABU DHABI: The curtains came down on the first of two annual Caltex RoadStar Contest for the year in Abu Dhabi today (May 22) with 12 more ‘safe drivers’ being awarded on Day 2 in the National Capital.
The over decade old campaign, organized by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF), to promote safe driving was held from May 18-19 in Dubai and May 21-22 in Abu Dhabi in association with the police of the respective emirates.
While Caltex was the main sponsor, Lexus (Al Futtaim Motors), AXA Insurance and the International Automobile Touring Club were the co-sponsors with Gulf News, Wheels and Radio2 as the media partners.
Following were the winners in Abu Dhabi on Day 2: Haji Gul, Rensgasai Jaganadhan, Rahman Gul, Sajjid Khan, Suaad Al Haryhi, Robert Butt, Ahmad Al Romaithi, Lalu Pathrose, Abbasi Tabraz Alam, Kate Draycott, Tristan De Furluc and Sri Kumar Andiveedu.
A total of 47 ‘safe drivers’ were rewarded over the four-day campaign in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and all without exception said they were looking forward to the second phase later in the year, in the meantime promising to share their experience with friends and relatives.
EMSF Vice Chairman and President of the UAE Chapter of the International Automobile and Touring Club Mr. Hamad Mazrouei who was part of the team that patrolled Abu Dhabi roads during peak hours yesterday and today to help identify ‘safe drivers’ said he would like to see more such campaigns being held in the National Capital.
Mr. Mazrouei pointed out that only through regular campaigns could one hope to create greater and lasting awareness of the dangers of not following road rules and regulations, noting that the cash award was just one small incentive to remind people that it pays to drive safe in more ways than one.
Director for Marketing and Business Development Ms Roshanara Sait said the contest this year was particularly exhausting given that the campaign was also extended to Abu Dhabi, a whole new territory for the Dubai-based EMSF.
Ms Sait however pointed out that the exercise was more than worth it because the EMSF has always wanted to extend the reach of the campaign beyond Dubai and there could have been no better place than Abu Dhabi to begin this process of spreading the campaign.
Noting that the EMSF is considering extending the campaign to other emirates over a reasonable period of time, Ms Sait said RoadStar would be back later this year for the second phase and thanked all concerned – particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi Police for the unreserved co-operation and sponsors for their steadfast commitment to corporate social responsibility.
The contest is in its 11th year since its inception and has invested over two million dirhams thus far in a campaign aimed at promoting safe driving where drivers who observe basic principles of good driving such as wearing seatbelts, using child safety seats, using indicators and hands-free mobiles, observe lane discipline and display courtesy in addition to adhering to speed limits come under the organizers’ scanner during the campaign.
Safe drivers are rewarded with 750 dirhams in cash on the spot, gifts and a certificate endorsed by the police of the emirate where the campaign is conducted.
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