Intense dense fog has gripped the regions in North as the winter season continues to lower the mercury level across the nation. Keeping in mind road safety during the foggy season, state-owned National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented road safety initiatives to address diminished visibility caused by foggy conditions, a PIB press release said.
The measures have been classified into two groups: engineering and safety awareness measures. The NHAI officials have been encouraged to promote awareness among highway users about the use of blinkers and adherence to traffic rules.
The category of ‘Engineering measures’ encompasses activities such as reinstating missing or damaged road signs, correcting faded or insufficient pavement markings, improving the visibility of safety devices through reflective markers and median markers, implementing transverse bar markings in residential areas and accident-prone areas, ensuring operational blinkers at median openings in under-construction zones and high-risk areas, and replacing damaged hazard marker signs at diverging and merging locations.
The ‘Safety Awareness’ measures emphasise the integration of actions to notify highway users about diminished visibility conditions. These steps involve employing Variable Message Signs (VMS) or electronic signage to convey ‘Foggy Weather Alerts’ and speed limit messages. The measures also include implementing a Public Address System to caution commuters about a driving speed limit of 30 km/hr in foggy areas; utilising electronic billboards, radio, and social media for public service announcements at Toll Plazas and Wayside Amenities during foggy conditions, along with installing reflective tapes across the full width of vehicles on the highways.
The NHAI field offices have received instructions to conduct weekly nighttime highway inspections. These inspections will be carried out by a team comprising NHAI officials, independent engineers, and the concessionaire/contractor. The objective is to evaluate visibility on the highway and pinpoint areas where additional provisions may be necessary.
The dense foggy stretches will see highway patrol vehicles stationed near them.
The highway operation and maintenance team will be equipped with red/green blinking batons to direct traffic in the event of an accident. They will establish effective collaboration with local law enforcement, ambulance services, and municipal authorities. Additionally, NHAI teams will conduct joint drills and exercises to enhance coordination during emergencies caused by fog.