Persisting fog hits road, air traffic

Authorities take steps to cope with vehicle diversion from motorways

LAHORE:

Fog has engulfed Punjab for the past several days, making driving difficult on the motorways as well as within Lahore, especially in the evening.

At least seven people were killed and 60 injured in traffic accidents caused by fog during the past few days. According to the Meteorological Department, the fog is likely to continue for about 10 more days.

Motorway police spokesman Syed Imran Shah told The Express Tribune that various portions of the motorways in Punjab are closed between 5pm and 9am depending on the situation of fog. The M2 motorway from Lahore to Islamabad, M3 from Lahore to Kot Abdul Hakim and M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Sham Kot are affected most frequently.

The spokesman said a police car is patrolling every 12km on the motorways. When the fog starts to form, it informs the control room about the situation. No instrument is used to measure the fog. Instead, the staff in the patrol car monitor the situation by observing the vehicles ahead of them. The situation is reported when the vision is less than 100 metres.

The control room restricts the entry of vehicles from the entrance and starts closing the motorway from different points according to the intensity of fog. In such cases, those already on the motorway are taken to a safe place by a police vehicle. The spokesman added that drivers are informed through TV, radio and phone helpline about the closure of motorways due to fog so that they would avoid unnecessary travel.

In case of emergency, the citizens should call the helpline 130 for information related to travel on motorways, he added. He also reminded the drivers to use fog lights and wipers during the season, keep distance from other vehicles and switch on dual indicators. Along with the motorways, the fog in the city also starts in the evening. Chief Traffic

Officer Syed Hamad Raza said that as soon as the motorways are closed, the traffic turns to the GT Road and there is too much traffic at the entry points. In view of the circumstances, the traffic police talked to the Ring Road authorities and worked out a plan. The number of traffic wardens at duty from 11pm to 8am in the city has been increased from 50 to 125. Diversions have been formed at and the flow of cars slowed down to reduce congestion at the entrance of GT Road.

The number of lifters used for removing vehicles parked wrongly or stuck on the roads due to faults is also being increased. More traffic officials are being deputed near the underpasses to help avoid accidents in fog. The spokesman said announcements were also made from the traffic police vehicles urging citizens not to travel unnecessarily and to use of fog lights.

According to rescue service spokesman Mohammad Farooq, seven people were killed and about 60 injured in accidents during the ongoing spell of fog. He said most of the accidents were caused by driving fast despite the fog. The density of fog in the city is high in the open areas and low in the populated localities. Drivers speed up their vehicles while passing a clear area but waves of fog appear suddenly, reducing the visibility.

On the other hand, the police are also facing difficulties in patrolling due to fog. Dolphin police in the Quaide-Azam Industrial Estate area on Wednesday night tried to stop a motorbike without a number plate, but the pillion rider opened fire and severely injured an official. The suspects left the motorcycle and took advantage of the fog to escape amid retaliatory firing of the police.