Caltex RoadStar Contest

The Caltex RoadStar Contest ran its 29th edition in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai, to stress the need for safe driving and to rewards to drivers who adhere to traffic rules. Winner of the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) in 2009, the campaign celebrates its 16th year in existence - a testimony to the service it has done to road users in the UAE for over a decade-and-a-half, and Caltex has been at the forefront supporting the initiative right from its inception. The campaign is aimed at promoting road safety and safe driving habits amongst motorists in the UAE and made its debut in 1998 and met with tremendous success both locally and globally with CNN and BBC covering the event The Caltex RoadStar Contest is held in co-operation with the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF) and has full support of the police departments in all the concerned Emirates.

Drivers who observe basic principles of good driving such as wearing seatbelts, using child safety seats, use indicators and hands-free mobiles, observe lane discipline and display courtesy in addition to adhering to speed limits come under the organisers' scanner. Motorists who observe these basic safe driving rules are instantly rewarded with a cash prize of AED 1,000, with AED 10,000 given out daily. During the five day period that the campaign runs, a total of AED 50,000 is given out as incentives for drivers to continue with their safe driving habits and also encourages other road users to follow suit. Apart from rewarding safe drivers, the campaign also aims to contribute to making a difference to lives of the many winners, who most often send the reward money back home to support their families.

Ciel Events Director and founder of the RoadStar campaign Ms Roshanara Sait said: “Over the years I have stressed and continue to stress, that with the UAE home to over 200 nationalities with varying driving habits it is necessary that we adhere to road rules and regulations in force here with a strict sense of responsibility.” Ms Said added: “The 1000 dirhams in cash reward is more an incentive than anything else; but we have noticed over the years that many winners actually use that money to send home back to their families. In a sense, this adds a human touch to the campaign.” The campaign is a recipient of the prestigious Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) in 2009, which was presented by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. Apart from Caltex, the campaign is co-sponsored by AXA Insurance & Nissan, with Gulf News, Wheels & Radio 2 as the Media Partners.