‘Foggy perils’ on NH-44

Ramban, Dec 26: As the weather department predicted foggy weather conditions in parts of Jammu and Kashmir for the next few days, the Jammu and Kashmir traffic department Tuesday gave safety tips for vehicle operators while driving on foggy roads, including the Srinagar Jammu National Highway.

In this connection, Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police Headquarters National Highway Ramban, Rohit Baskotra advised motorists to adopt precautions issued by the traffic department, while driving through fog on various roads including Srinagar Jammu National Highway-44.

“While driving through fog one must be extremely careful particularly while navigating the roads in the middle of a dense fog. The visibility is terrible and you're forced to trust your gut to make any progress which isn't the safest way to drive. So, let's unlock some helpful driving tips that will ensure maximum safety on foggy roads,” the advisory read.

Advising drivers to stick to their lanes, it mentioned, “This is the basic driving lesson, so stick to the basics. Reduced visibility is the primary consequence of fog. So you need to keep your vehicle within its lane at all times. Sticking to your lane reduces the risks of going off the road or crashing into another vehicle. Lane markers are beneficial in such a situation. Keep a tab on the lane markers, and one oncoming traffic.”

It said that while driving on a single lane, the drivers should try to drive on the left side to avoid collisions.

“Park the car and wait. When in doubt, stay out in case of zero visibility, it is better to take your vehicle off the road, slowly and safely and stay put till the visibility is better. Park it at a secure spot and remember to turn the parking and hazard lights on. Say no to speeding, Speeding in any case is not advisable, and under poor visibility, it is a big no,” was another safety tip.

Cautioning against rash driving, the advisory said, “It may pump your adrenaline, but it's merely a danger for everyone involved. You may think it's okay to speed a little since you feel there's no vehicle immediately ahead of yours. But you're only inviting trouble as foggy conditions are pretty unpredictable. If your vehicle is driving at a high speed, it can become challenging for you to react quickly and gauge your surroundings. It's therefore recommended that you drive at a relatively slow pace so that you can respond in time, judge the traffic and stop the car if needed.”

Another safety tip was to keep the headlights on a low beam.

It is common for drivers to set the lights on a high beam while driving through foggy conditions. However high beam reflection hinders the driver's visibility.

“When the road visibility is below 100 meters, we suggest that you set the headlights on a low beam. If your car is equipped with fog lamps, turn them on too. Use indicators to alert others. A responsible driver is considerate of other vehicles on the road. Alerting the oncoming and following vehicles is critical during foggy conditions; hence use your indicator or parking lights,” it stated.

Before taking any turns, make sure that you turn on the indicator at least 10 seconds in advance. That way, the vehicles driving behind you get sufficient time to halt or steer conveniently.

Keep the windshields and windows clean; adjust the driver’s seat position; focus on the road, keep the brakes and tyres in perfect condition and avoid overtaking - were among other important safety tips.