Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: The Traffic Police Department has issued advisory/safety precautions for drivers while driving vehicles on various roads and Jammu- Srinagar National Highway during foggy weather conditions.
SSP National Highway Rohit Baskotra while sharing the precautions issued by the Traffic Department said that one must be extremely careful 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. .
One must stick to own lane. This is the basic driving lesson. Reduced visibility is the primary consequence of fog. So one need to keep vehicle within its lane at all times and avoid over taking. It reduces the chances of accident.
Lane markers are beneficial in such a situation. Keep a tab on the lane markers, and the oncoming traffic. While driving on a single-lane road, try to drive on the left side to avoid collisions.
When in doubt, stay out. That is, 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.
The SSP said speeding in any case is not advisable, and under poor visibility, it is a big `NO’. It may pump your adrenaline, but it’s merely a danger for everyone involved. It is common for drivers to set the lights on a high beam while driving through foggy conditions. However, the high beam reflects and hinders the driver’s visibility. When the road visibility is below 100 meters, we suggest that you set the headlights on at low beam. If your car is equipped with fog lamps, turn them `On’ too.
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.
Before taking any turns, make sure that you turn On the indicator at least 10 seconds in advance.
Cleanliness can save your life. Keep your front and rear windshields stain-free. And make sure your windows are clean too. This will allow you to view your surroundings easily while driving. You could also use a defogger (defroster) knob to clean the windshield of your car.
Concentration is key. Keep your focus on the road at all times. It only takes a fraction of a second to draw trouble.
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