599 Emirates Transport drivers rewarded for safe driving

DUBAI // Five hundred and ninety-nine Emirates Transport drivers have been rewarded for safe driving with cars, air tickets and free Umrah trips.

The company’s general manager Mohammed Al Jarman praised the drivers at a ceremony on Saturday for following traffic and transport rules and for adopting the highest safety standards.

Two drivers drove away with brand new Nissan cars in a prize draw, while others won return air tickets to their home countries or Umrah trips with all expenses paid.

“Our winning drivers are role models for their peers and an inspiration for a more healthy competition among each other,” Mr Al Jarman said.

Inspired by Dubai Police's white-point system for offence-free drivers, Emirates Transport launched its reward scheme last year to promote best driving practices among its 12,000 drivers.

To qualify, drivers are assessed on adherence to traffic laws, clean accident records, positive field reports, good behaviour and an annual assessment of “outstanding”.

Last year, 399 drivers were honoured when the system was introduced. “The increase is a clear indication of the programme’s positive impact,” Mr Al Jarman said.

Between July and September last year, the number of accidents among Emirates Transport’s drivers dropped 34 per cent, compared with the same period in 2015. The percentage of serious accidents did not exceed 0.5 per cent of the total, he said.

In 2012, Dubai Police launched the white points scheme, where drivers in the emirate are awarded a point for every month they have no traffic or Salik fines.

After 12 months, they can exchange them for gift vouchers or use them to cancel black points accrued before or after.