Obaid Saif bin Aran of Umm Al Quwain obtained his driving licence in 1974 and drove his first car later in that year. Ever since, he has never committed a traffic offence.

The man, who has 13 children, has been honoured by the traffic police for his clean record, which he attributes to his respect of traffic laws and concern for his life and that of the other road users.

All his sons who have driving licences appear to have taken him an example as they also have a clean traffic record. One of them, Lt Colonel Saeed Obain, is now the director of Umm Al Quwain traffic police department.

Bin Aran had worked at the health ministry for nearly 29 years before retiring recently. He spends most of his time now practicing his favourite fishing hobby.

“I have never committed any road offence because I respect traffic laws. I do not exceed the speed limit because I am concerned about my life and the lives of all other road users,” he said, quoted by the Arabic language daily Al Bayan.

“Unfortunately, many of our young men have become victims of traffic accidents because of their recklessness. They do not respect traffic rules and drive at high speed. I appeal for all parents to watch their sons and stop rewarding the reckless ones with cars and motorcycles as they only threaten lives.”