Fog is natural phenomenon beyond human control:DIG Dr Shafiq

Lahore: Fog is natural phenomenon beyond human control but damage to human life and property can be prevented by taking better measures within our control said DIG National Highways and Motorway Police N-5 Central Dr. Muhammad Shafique while directing the officers of central zone in a police ‘to make extraordinary measure to ensure the safety of road users during foggy season.

“Motorway Police patrol officers should perform their duties with full devotion and professionalism as accident ratio can go up during the fog and criminal elements can also take advantage of poor weather
conditions” said DIG Dr. Shafique. He also asked the officer to make
all out efforts to brief the motorists that during the foggy season
they should make their travel plan and try to travel between 10:00 am
to 06:00 pm, drive slowly, maintain safe distance, ensure that the
fog lights and wipers of their vehicle are in working conditions and
before the start of their journey contact Motorway police helpline 130 for guidance about road and weather conditions. Similarly, patrol
officers of central zone were asked to take effective measure against
the vehicles with weak tyres which is major cause of accidents on
highways. The officers were asked to use tread gauge to check old and
worn out tyres and brief the drivers not to use worn out tyres,
replace tyres if its tread is less than 1.6 mm, keep recommended air
pressure in tyres, keep useable spare wheel and tools and get periodic wheel balancing and alignment.

He further appealed the road users followed following instructions in
fog for secure journey. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion
when you may actually be speeding. Listen for traffic you cannot see.
Open your window a little, to hear well. Use wipers and defrosters as
necessary for maximum visibility. DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily
traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction
collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to
follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as
far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard
flashers (hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road).

Move away from the vehicle. DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility. SLOW DOWN – and watch your speedometer – before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes. WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles.

Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear
well. REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and
cell phone. Your full attention is required. USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield. USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide. BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes. SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.