Setting cruise control on the UAE's long, straight highways like the Dubai-Abu Dhabi E11 can improve fuel efficiency by up to 12% on average for a midsize sedan, according to real-world driving data compiled from fleet operators in 2023. For a popular car like the Toyota Camry using Special 95 fuel, maintaining a steady 120 km/h instead of manually fluctuating between 110-130 km/h can raise fuel economy from approximately 13.0 km/l to around 14.5 km/l. RTA Dubai's highway safety analysis consistently notes that a constant speed reduces the risk of rear-end collisions caused by unintentional speed creep. However, MOI UAE accident reports consistently advise against its use in heavy, variable-speed traffic such as the evening rush hour on Sheikh Zayed Road towards Sharjah, where sudden slowdowns are frequent and require driver anticipation that the system lacks. The total cost of ownership (TCO) benefit is clear: for a driver covering 30,000 km per year, the improved efficiency could save about 1,000 AED annually on fuel, but this is offset by the need for complete driver engagement to override the system instantly for hazards like sudden sand patches or merging traffic. The key is conditional use: it's a tool for open-road consistency, not an autopilot for complex traffic.
