A breakdown is stressful anywhere, but on a fast Dubai highway in 45°C heat or in the middle of the night, knowing exactly what to do makes all the difference. Here’s the routine our crew recommends.
1. Get out of the traffic lane
At the first warning sign, such as a dashboard light, a strange noise or loss of power, indicate and move towards the hard shoulder or the nearest exit while you still have momentum. Avoid stopping in a live lane if you can.
2. Make yourself visible
- Switch on your hazard lights straight away.
- If it’s safe, place your warning triangle well behind the car so approaching drivers have time to react.
- At night, keep your sidelights on as well.
3. Get yourself somewhere safe
On a highway, the safest place is usually behind the barrier, away from the car, not inside it. Take passengers with you and keep children and pets close. In summer, carry water and shade if you can.
If anyone is injured, or you’re in an unsafe position, call 999 first. Recovery can wait. Your safety can’t.
4. If there’s been an accident
For minor accidents with no injuries, UAE traffic rules expect drivers to move vehicles out of the way if they can still be driven, and to report the incident. In Dubai, many minor accidents can be reported through the Dubai Police app. For anything more serious, call 999 and wait for the police. Once the scene is cleared, we can take your car to your chosen workshop.
5. Call a recovery service, with the right details
When you call us on +971 52 471 3135, have these ready to speed things up:
- Your live location (share a WhatsApp location pin, which is far more accurate than describing a junction).
- The make and model, and whether it’s automatic, AWD or lowered.
- What happened: won’t start, flat tyre, overheating, accident damage.
- Where you want the car taken: home, garage, dealer or another emirate.
We’ll confirm the price and arrival time before we dispatch.
6. Could it be a quick fix?
Many breakdowns are really a flat battery, a flat tyre or an empty tank. Our roadside assistance can often get you moving on the spot, and if not, the flatbed is already there.
Save our number now
The best time to find a recovery number is before you need one. Save +971 52 471 3135 in your phone as “Sentinal Recovery”. We answer 24/7, anywhere in Dubai.
Available 24/7
Broken down, or planning a move? Call us.
Send your location on WhatsApp or call us. We’ll confirm your price and arrival time before we set off.