The streets of Dubai may not actually be paved with gold but this week anyone caught driving safely risks being pulled over and handed $200.

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After failing to deter the city's reckless drivers with radar speed traps and subsequent fines, the authorities are now trying the softer approach.

By the end of this week prizes totalling nearly $30,000 are expected to be handed out to the city's more careful drivers.

Using a local radio station and money from corporate sponsors, they are hoping to tempt people to drive more safely.

To qualify for this on-the-spot bounty drivers must be seen to be wearing a seatbelt and not using their mobile phone, a practice which causes daily collisions here.