Dubai Police rescue driver after cruise control malfunction on Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Rd

In a swift and professional response, Dubai Police traffic patrols rescued a driver whose cruise control had malfunctioned while he was driving his vehicle on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi. Specialised teams arrived at the scene within minutes of receiving the report, averting the risk of a serious traffic accident for the driver and other road users.

Brigadier Jumaa Salem Bin Suwaidan, Acting Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, explained that the operations room received a report indicating that the driver of a vehicle was incapable of controlling its speed due to a failure in the cruise control system. Consequently, the vehicle continued to move without responding to the accelerator or brake pedals.

It was explained that traffic patrols had responded promptly to the reported location, where the vehicle was subsequently located and escorted in a precise and coordinated manner. Concurrently, specialised teams liaised directly with the driver to provide guidance on the appropriate procedures to follow in such circumstances, with the objective of ensuring his safety and that of other road users.

He further noted that the patrols functioned to ensure the security of the vehicle by establishing a secure passage in front of and behind it, while concurrently manoeuvring other vehicles away from its trajectory to avert any potential collision. It was observed that effective coordination and composed management enabled the driver to halt the vehicle safely on the side of the road, without any reported injuries or damage.

Brigadier General Jumaa Salem Bin Suwaidan underscored the pivotal function of the Command and Control Centre's swift response and prompt coordination with field patrols in effectively managing the situation. He commended the traffic teams for their efficiency and professionalism in dealing with such emergency incidents.

Suwaidan emphasised the critical importance of maintaining composure in the event of a cruise control issue, ensuring the fastening of seatbelts, activating the four-way hazard lights and headlights, and promptly contacting the emergency services via the "999" number to provide a precise and detailed account of the situation.

In such cases, it is recommended that you reduce the vehicle's speed by applying the brakes continuously and gradually or by putting the car in neutral (N). If this is unsuccessful, release the handbrake gradually while holding the steering wheel firmly. If the problem persists, repeatedly move the transmission between the 'N' and 'D' positions in an attempt to reduce the speed. If any of these steps succeed before the police arrive, the vehicle must be stopped safely off the road and the driver must wait for them to arrive.