As dense winter fog blankets the region of Amritsar, a critical and widespread safety lapse is pushing the risk of road accidents to alarming levels. The absence of mandatory reflective tapes and functional fog lights on a large number of commercial vehicles is creating a perfect storm for collisions on highways and city roads alike.
A Glaring Omission in Safety Norms
Traffic police officials and transport authorities have raised a red flag over this dangerous trend. During routine checks and visibility surveys, it was found that a significant portion of trucks, buses, and other heavy vehicles plying the roads are operating without the basic safety gear required for low-light and foggy conditions. This includes the conspicuous absence of reflective tape on the sides and rear, as well as non-functional or missing fog lights.
This violation is not a minor oversight; it is a direct breach of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. The rules clearly mandate that all commercial vehicles must be fitted with reflective tapes of specified dimensions and quality. These tapes are crucial as they make the vehicle's outline visible from a distance when headlights from other vehicles strike them in fog, rain, or darkness.
Why This Poses a Grave Danger
The peril is most acute during the early morning and late evening hours when fog combines with twilight. A large, slow-moving truck without reflectors or lights effectively becomes an invisible obstacle on the road. For drivers of faster-moving cars, two-wheelers, or even other trucks, spotting such a vehicle becomes nearly impossible until they are dangerously close, leaving minimal time for reaction.
"The situation is particularly hazardous on highways around Amritsar, like the GT Road," explained a senior traffic official. "When a vehicle lacks these basic markings, it merges with the fog, becoming a ghost on the road. This is a leading cause of chain-reaction pile-ups during the winter season." The official further noted that while car owners are generally more compliant, the adherence among commercial transport operators is disappointingly low, often due to negligence or a desire to cut costs.
Authorities Issue Stern Warning and Action Plan
In response to this escalating threat, the Amritsar traffic police and the District Transport Office have initiated a dual strategy of enforcement and awareness. Special checking nakas (barricades) are being set up on key routes to identify and penalize vehicles flouting these safety rules. The penalties can be severe, including hefty fines.
Beyond fines, authorities are also reaching out to transport unions, trucking associations, and fleet owners. The message is clear: equipping vehicles with reflective tapes and working fog lights is a non-negotiable investment in safety. "It is not just about avoiding a challan (fine ticket)," an official stated. "It is about preventing fatal accidents and saving lives—the lives of the drivers themselves and of other road users."
The transport department has emphasized that the reflective tape must be of the standard ISI-marked quality to ensure it performs effectively. Sub-standard tapes that lose their reflectivity quickly offer a false sense of security and are equally dangerous.
For the residents of Amritsar and commuters traveling through the district, the advisory is straightforward: exercise extreme caution, reduce speed significantly in fog, and use your vehicle's fog lights judiciously. However, the onus ultimately lies with commercial vehicle operators to comply with the law and make the roads safer for everyone during Punjab's treacherous fog season.
