Dubai Delivery Man, Who Received Award For Fixing Traffic Light, Says 'I Was Worried'

A food delivery man in Dubai was honoured by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for his quick thinking and sense of civic responsibility. Zeeshan Ahmad Irshad Ahmad, who works as a delivery man for the food delivery company Talabat, was recorded fixing a traffic signal that was dangerously dangling by the side. Instead of ignoring the broken traffic light, Zeeshan got up from his bike and fixed the sign. His kind gesture was recorded by a person who was in a car behind him. This video soon went viral and got the attention of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The RTA reached out to Zeeshan’s employers and contacted Zeeshan. He was invited to the RTA headquarters and given a certificate of appreciation. Zeeshan is originally from Pakistan and has been working in the UAE for over a decade. His video is now circulating across social media. Commenting on his video, an Instagram user wrote, “The realisation of your moral and civic duty is the key feature of a growing and developing society.”

Another person wrote, “There are less such people in the world that is why the world is going down everyone is minding their own business and the world has become trash.” An Instagram user praised UAE’s government for honouring Zeeshan and wrote, “One of the best places. People are so nice and you get rewarded for being a good resident. Last of all, people fear the law and respect it. good for him.”

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Zeeshan recalled the moment when he fixed the traffic light and said, “I was just driving along Al Wasl Street because I did not have a delivery order at the time. I suddenly noticed the broken signal. One panel was detached, and it was dangling very dangerously. It was a windy day, and I worried it might hit a pedestrian or another driver. So, I quickly parked my bike and attempted to fix it. I had no idea someone had recorded and posted a video of me online.”

He added that RTA officials treated him “like a brother” as they thanked him for his service. He said that fixing the light was “just a humanitarian gesture from my side” and he “didn’t do it expecting any reward.” Zeeshan got married in 2023 and his family and wife were overjoyed by the recognition he got.