Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — As many as 7,500 drivers in the Eastern Province are competing for the “Ideal Driver Award.”

A financial reward of SR500,000 will be divided among 10 eligible drivers who will receive various amounts.

Introducing the “Ideal Driver Award” at a gathering in Dammam on Monday, secretary general of the traffic safety committee Abdullah Bin Saad Al-Rajhi said financial rewards will be given to drivers working in the government and private sectors as well as those working in school and university transport.

Among the contestants there were about 500 drivers from the city of Qatif alone, he said.

The award was initiated with the aim of reducing traffic accidents in the region.

During the past five years, traffic accidents in the Eastern Province have come down by about 41 percent.

Rajhi said the traffic safety committee has a 10-year plan to achieve traffic control and educate and enlighten drivers.

“The plan has been in effect for five years during which deaths and injuries resulting from traffic accidents have been reduced by about 41 percent,” he said.

Rajhi said the award is aimed at encouraging drivers to abide by the traffic rules and regulations and making careful driving a common culture.

Acting governor of Qatif Falah Bin Sulaiman Al-Khaldi said traffic accidents were among the most serious problems in the Kingdom, resulting in a large number of deaths and injuries.

The Eastern Province launched an annual prize for a perfect driver titled the “Eastern Province Best Driver Award”.

In 2016, an amount of more than SR500,000 was distributed among drivers from various categories which included those holding both regular and commercial licenses.