Low visibility: Fog descends on twin cities

CTO urges people to use fog lights, avoid unnecessary travel

RAWALPINDI: Residents of the twin cities woke up on Thursday morning to a thick blanket of fog, which drastically reducing visibility and causing trouble for motorists.

The City Traffic Police (CTP) issued an advisory, urging motorists to drive carefully on the roads, observe road safety rules, and avoid unnecessary travel on motorways and highways in the fog.



“Motorists should avoid heavy braking and always use headlights, parking lights, and foglights while travelling,” said Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Shahid Ali Yousaf.

He added the education wing of the CTP was holding on-ground training workshops to spread awareness about driving in foggy conditions.



Yousaf said motorists were offered guidance on Airport Road, Mall Road, Peshawar Road and other main roads of the city and asked to exercise additional caution when driving in the fog.



“Motorists should be more attentive during the season because of the increased likelihood of traffic accidents due to fog,” the CTO said.

According to data compiled by the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), there were at least 19 casualties in fog-related road accidents, while 91 others suffered injuries during the first 11 months of 2016.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2017.