Precautions taken for foggy weather

ISLAMABAD: Heavy duty vehicles and public transport vehicles must install fog lights by November 30. After the deadline, no public vehicle will be allowed on the motorway without the lights and may also be subject to fine.

This is being done to reduce chances of accidents and minimise the safety risk to commuters during foggy weather.

This was revealed by Inspector General National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) Wasim Kausar while chairing a high level meeting on Friday.

Kausar told senior officials of NH&MP that it was their responsibility to provide accident-free movement to the public on highways and motorways.

“Fog usually remains present from November 15 to February 30 on motorways and highways, especially late at night and early in the morning, which can be highly dangerous for road users while driving,” he added.

The IG advised people not to travel after 10 pm or before 10 am during the foggy weather. If it is essential to drive, he said, people should install fog lights in their vehicles and maintain a safe distance from other cars. He advised a maximum speed of 60 km/h during fog visibility of 100 metres.

He said if fog visibility drops below 50 metres, drivers should stop travelling and rest in Motorway Police Camps or a rest area until visibility improves. “If encountering a sudden spot of fog, drivers should not brake immediately, instead slow gradually and drive slowly,” he advised.

Drivers can attain information about the fog visibility and weather before departing by calling the motorway police helping “130.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2010.