Drivers on Dubai's road will soon be able to get emergency help at the touch of a button.
Police are to introduce a high tech system that allows motorists to raise the alarm in the event of a theft attack or simply if they are lost in the dessert.
Senior officers are working with leading car manufacturers to have an SOS button installed in new vehicles.
The gadgets works by sending a message using satellite and global positioning technology similar to satellite navigation equipment currently installed in many vehicles.
If a driver finds themselves in an emergency they can press a button inside the car and information about the vehicle's location will be beamed to a control centre. A patrol car will then be dispatched.
Colonel Dr. Khalid Al Ghanim Almaris, Director of Communications and Electronic Development for Dubai Police told Emirates Today that the electronic SOS system motorist in the most effective way.
Motorists using the alert system can also inform police about accidents or crimes they com across, he said. "In case of an emergency the driver can push the SOS button which will automatically initiate a call to the Police Emergency Room and explain the situation. Police can track the vehicles immediately using a 3D map where all buildings and landmarks are visualized," he said.
"All Dubai Police patrol cars are successfully using the SOS system.
"If the call is from another emirate the relevant information will be passed to police there," Col. Almarri said.
"We are working with leading car manufacturers especially BMW, Mercedez, Nissan, Toyota and others to introduce the SOS button on their vehicles," Col. Almarri said.
Developed by Dubai Police the system will also be used in taxis after a number of cabbies reported being attacked in remote places.
Furthermore if an airbag deploys the system automatically sends a message to police. The control room can then contact the driver to check whether help is required.
If the cal goes unanswered the nearest passing police patrol will attend the location of the alert. Helicopters can also b used to locate the car in need of assistance.
By VM Sathish
© Emirates Today 2007
