Dubai Police rescue driver after vehicle's cruise control malfunctions on Sheikh Zayed Road

In a commendable display of efficiency and professionalism, the Dubai Police traffic patrol team successfully rescued a female driver whose vehicle's cruise control malfunctioned on Sheikh Zayed Road.

This intervention, which occurred within minutes of the report being received, prevented a potential traffic accident and ensured the safety of the driver and other road users.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, stated, "The operations room received a report of a vehicle travelling at a constant speed on Sheikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi. The driver was unable to control the vehicle due to a malfunctioning cruise control system."

The traffic patrols arrived at the scene expeditiously and observed the vehicle in the fourth lane. The vehicle was meticulously escorted, with the driver being guided through the procedures by means of telephonic communications and explicit instructions.

These instructions encompassed the necessary procedures to ensure the driver's safety and that of other individuals.

Al Mazrouei explained that traffic patrols facilitated securing the vehicle by establishing a safe corridor of vehicles behind and in front of it, while ensuring the exclusion of other vehicles from its trajectory to avert any potential collision, until the vehicle was safely positioned on the side of the road without any injuries or damage.

Al Mazrouei stressed that drivers encountering a cruise control malfunction to maintain composure and refrain from panic, while ensuring the immediate fastening of seat belts, using of four-alarm lights and headlights, and contacting 999.

In such cases, first of all, driver must gradually steer the vehicle towards the safe side of the road while maintaining balance and refraining from making sudden manoeuvres and continuously applying pressure to the brake pedal.

This is because some cruise control systems may automatically disconnect during gradual braking.

In the event of the brakes failing to respond, it is necessary to shift the transmission to the 'N' position, thus effecting the separation of propulsion from the wheels. Should the preceding two steps prove unsuccessful, it is advisable to gradually and carefully raise the handbrake, whilst maintaining firm control of the steering wheel in order to avert a loss of control.

Should the fault persist, it is recommended that the transmission be shifted between N and D modes on multiple occasions in an effort to reduce the speed. In the event that any of these steps prove successful prior to the arrival of the patrols, the vehicle should be parked in a safe location off the road and await the arrival of the relevant authorities