Dubai Police Issue Advisory: What to Do When Your Car's Cruise Control Malfunctions

There have been a few instances in the past when the electric system malfunctioned and the authorities jumped in to rescue the drivers.

Dubai Police have issued an advisory urging drivers to remain calm and not panic if their vehicle's cruise control malfunctions. This advisory follows a recent incident where police had to rescue a motorist whose cruise control failed while driving on Sheikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi.

Cruise control systems, now common in most cars, allow drivers to lock the accelerator at a constant speed, enabling them to take their foot off the pedal. However, there have been past instances where these systems malfunctioned, necessitating intervention from the authorities.

In an advisory, Dubai Police offered the following guidelines to motorists experiencing cruise control failure:

1. Switch to Neutral (N): Put the gear in neutral, turn off the engine, and restart it immediately.
2. Long Press Start Button: For modern models, press and hold the start button until the engine turns off.
3. Firm Braking: If the previous steps fail, shift to neutral and press the brakes firmly and steadily until the car stops.
4. Use Handbrake: If braking doesn't work, slowly pull up the handbrake while holding the steering wheel firmly.
5. Alternate Between N and D: If all else fails, repeatedly switch between neutral and drive.
6. Move to Safety: If any method works before a patrol car arrives, safely move the car off the road and wait for the authorities.

What is Cruise Control?

Cruise control is an electric system that allows drivers to set their vehicle at a specific speed, reducing the need to keep their foot on the accelerator. This feature is especially useful for long drives, as it helps reduce foot fatigue and stress. Additionally, cruise control can enhance fuel efficiency by maintaining a steady speed, which prevents excessive fuel consumption caused by frequent acceleration.

Benefits of Adaptive Cruise Control

Modern adaptive cruise control systems offer an advanced version of traditional cruise control. According to Kia, adaptive cruise control not only maintains a set speed but also uses forward-mounted sensors to keep a safe distance from the car ahead. If the car in front slows down, adaptive cruise control automatically slows the vehicle to maintain the set distance, using the engine brake if necessary.

By following these guidelines and understanding the functionality of cruise control systems, drivers can ensure the safety and efficiency of their vehicles.

News Source: Khaleej Times