Dense fog is common across north India in December and January, especially in the early morning and late night. It cuts visibility sharply and leads to many road accidents, including multi vehicle pile ups on highways. Here are simple safety tips.
Before you start
- Check the India Meteorological Department (IMD) fog warnings and visibility reports for your route.
- If dense fog is forecast, delay your trip until visibility improves, usually later in the morning.
- Clean the windscreen, mirrors, headlights and tail lights.
- Check wipers, defogger and all lights, including fog lamps and hazard lights.
- Keep the fuel tank reasonably full and carry a charged phone.
Lights: what to use
- **Use low beam headlights.** High beam reflects off fog droplets and creates a glare wall that makes it harder to see.
- **Switch on fog lamps** if your vehicle has them. They throw light low and wide on the road.
- **Use hazard lights only when stopped** or moving very slowly in an emergency. Using them while moving can confuse other drivers about your lane changes.
- Reflective tape on trucks, tractors and trolleys helps others see them. The government has made reflective tapes mandatory for many commercial vehicles.
While driving
- Drive slowly and keep a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see.
- Keep a much longer gap from the vehicle ahead than usual.
- Use the road markings on the left edge as a guide.
- Avoid overtaking and changing lanes.
- Keep windows slightly open to hear traffic, and keep music low.
- Use the defogger or air conditioning to keep the inside of the windscreen clear.
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If you must stop
Do not stop on the main carriageway or highway lanes. Move fully off the road to a safe place such as a dhaba, toll plaza or service area, switch on parking or hazard lights and wait for the fog to clear. Do not sit in a parked car on the road shoulder.
Two wheeler riders
Wear a helmet with a clear visor, use reflective jackets and keep headlights on. Ride well to the left and avoid long trips in dense fog.
Emergency help
Call 112 for emergencies. On national highways, you can also call the NHAI helpline 1033.
Bottom line
In fog, slow down, use low beam and fog lamps, keep your distance and avoid driving at all when visibility is very poor.
Source / स्रोत: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India Meteorological Department
