Dubai Police rescued a woman after cruise control failure left her car unresponsive on Emirates Road/Image: X
A female driver traveling towards Abu Dhabi faced a dangerous situation when her car’s cruise control malfunctioned, making the vehicle unresponsive to both acceleration and braking. In a swift, coordinated operation, Dubai Police intervened to ensure her safety and prevent a potential traffic disaster on the busy Emirates Road.
Cruise control failure triggers emergency
The incident unfolded when a woman driving on Emirates Road towards Abu Dhabi experienced a critical failure in her car’s cruise control system. According to Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, the malfunction rendered the vehicle uncontrollable — it continued to move despite attempts to brake or reduce speed. The accelerator and brakes became unresponsive, leaving the driver in a high-speed and high-risk situation.The emergency was reported to Dubai Police’s operations room, which immediately mobilized patrol units to the scene. The patrols managed to locate the moving vehicle quickly and took strategic action to prevent any accidents.
Tactical police response and driver rescue
Upon arrival, Dubai Police traffic patrols created a protective safety corridor around the out-of-control car. This involved clearing the surrounding traffic and forming a buffer both in front of and behind the vehicle. The goal was to isolate the affected car and prevent it from colliding with other vehicles on the road.Officers maintained constant phone communication with the driver throughout the ordeal, guiding her through step-by-step safety procedures. Under their direction, the motorist was eventually able to bring the vehicle to a halt on the side of the road — safely and without incident.Brigadier bin Suwaidan commended the rapid coordination between the operations room and the patrol teams on the ground, calling it a decisive factor in the successful resolution of the emergency. He also praised the professionalism and readiness of the traffic patrols who managed the unfolding situation calmly and effectively.
Emergency protocols and advice for motorists
In light of the incident, authorities have shared specific guidance on how drivers should respond if they experience a similar malfunction:
- Remain calm and avoid panic.
- Keep seatbelts fastened at all times.
- Switch on hazard lights (four-way flashers) and headlights to alert other drivers.
- Immediately call 999 to report the situation and receive expert assistance.
Dubai Police also recommend attempting the following technical responses in such emergencies:
- Shift the transmission to neutral (N) to cut off engine power from the wheels.
- Apply steady, continuous brake pressure rather than slamming on the brakes.
- If braking and shifting to neutral fail, gradually apply the handbrake while maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel.
- If the vehicle remains unresponsive, try moving the gear shift between ‘D’ (Drive) and ‘N’ (Neutral) repeatedly in an attempt to disrupt cruise control engagement.
If any of these measures successfully slow the vehicle, drivers should bring the car to a safe stop away from traffic and wait for emergency responders to arrive.
Emphasis on maintenance and road safety awareness
Brigadier bin Suwaidan stressed the importance of routine vehicle maintenance, particularly for key systems such as brakes and cruise control. He warned that neglecting these checks increases the risk of sudden, dangerous malfunctions on the road.He reiterated that driver awareness, combined with quick thinking and calm responses, can significantly reduce the severity of emergencies. In such high-pressure scenarios, making the correct decision at the right moment not only protects the driver but also safeguards other road users from harm.