Following traffic rules in fog can save your life: Motorway police chief

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Motorway police chief says using low beams in foggy conditions offers better visibility
* Use of fog lights, reflectors encouraged

LAHORE: With the onset of winter, fog is becoming a major traffic hazard in Punjab, especially on motorways. The National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) is, therefore, adopting preventive measures to avoid fog-related accidents.

Chairing a high-level meeting on Saturday at the NH&MP Thoker Niaz Baig camp, Inspector General Dr Wasim Kauser said that implementing traffic rules was necessary in order to prevent fog-related incidents. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Ibne Hussain and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammed Ali Nekokara were also present on the occasion.

Dr Wasim stressed the importance of making sure that car’ headlights, rear lights and wipers were in proper working order. He said that NH&MP officers would wear reflective jackets when deployed at toll plazas, interchanges and entry points to make sure they are clearly visible. He said the officers would brief drivers on safety measures and speed limit.

He directed slow moving or animal-drawn vehicles to drive on the hard shoulder and encouraged the use of deflectors, fog lights and low-beam headlights for better visibility in fog. He also instructed to drivers to drive slowly. He asked drivers to free themselves of distractions such as smoking, listening to the radio and talking on cell phones. He added that following safety measures would greatly reduce fog related accidents.

He also said that drivers should refrain from making U-turns and slow speed on a freeway or otherwise busy thoroughfare, were likely to cause an accident. He encouraged the use of hazard lights in case of a breakdown and instructed that instead of three traffic cones, six cones should be placed at a reasonable distance to indicate road perimeter.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_2