Fog hazard: ‘Drive safe or don’t drive at all’

Traffic authorities issue guidelines for driving safely in dense fog.

LAHORE:

City traffic police and the National Highway and Motorway police have issued advisory for motorists in view of the dense fog that descended upon the province on Tuesday, bringing the visibility down to dangerously low levels. The fog is forecast to linger for at least two weeks.

City Traffic Officer Sohail Chaudhary advised commuters and travellers to use fog lights and activate hazard lights while driving.

Talking to The Express Tribune, he said, “If you can see vehicles behind you then it’s likely they can also see you. In this case, you may switch off the fog lights.”

He said fog can also cause roads to be slippery. He said turning on windscreen wipers and use of the de-mister if needed, could also be helpful.

“Travellers need to keep an eye on the road. It is even more important to listen for approaching cars if you cannot see properly,” the CTO said.

Turning off loud music and avoiding other distractions, such as eating, drinking or smoking, while driving could help evade accidents in dense fog, he added.

Citizens are also being advised to maintain a safe distance from other cars on the road. He said motorists should not put their heads out of the car windows for a better view in case of blurred vision.

He said such practices could result in fatal accidents.

The CTO also advised against overtaking other vehicles in foggy weather.  Traffic wardens are advising citizens to park their vehicles a safe distance from main roads and to turn on hazard lights to avoid collision by other vehicles.

All traffic circle DSPs have been advised to ensure that heavy vehicles entering the city have adequate lights and reflectors.

DIG National Highways and Motorway Police Mirza Shakil Ahmad said reflecting-stickers should be pasted on all slow-moving vehicles on highways to avoid accidents  owing to the dense fog. He said the motorway police were on stand by to help commuters in case of an emergency. He advised against unnecessary travel.

National Highways and Motorwat Police IG Zulfiqar Cheema advised people to not to travel after 10 pm or before 10 am during the foggy weather.

“If it is essential to drive, people should install fog lights in their vehicles and maintain a safe distance from other cars,” he said.

He advised a maximum speed of 60 km/h during visibility of 100 metres.

Illuminated fog signs on motorways have been set up to alert motorists to any speed changes.

Cheema advised commuters to not speed up as soon as visibility improved after foggy patches, as it could only be for a short stretch.

Heavy vehicle drivers were advised to travel in convoys.

Cheema said if visibility dropped below 50 metres, drivers should stop travelling and rest in Motorway Police Camps or a rest area until visibility improved.

“If drivers spot fog ahead of them, they shouldn’t brake immediately. Instead they should slow down,” he said.

He said drivers could ask for information about fog visibility and the weather before departing by calling the motorway police helpline 130.

Met Office Director General Arif Mehmood told The Express Tribune that the fog would continue to descend in the Punjab for at least two more weeks.

He said light rain was also expected in parts of Lahore and Gujranwala.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2013.