North India is grappling with a severe road safety crisis as dense blankets of winter smog and fog have led to a series of catastrophic multi-vehicle pile-ups across major expressways. The reduced visibility has turned highways into danger zones, resulting in tragic loss of life and multiple injuries.
A Trail of Tragedy on Fog-Shrouded Highways
The most devastating incident occurred on the Yamuna Expressway near Mathura, where near-zero visibility conditions triggered a deadly multi-vehicle collision claiming 19 lives. This was not an isolated event. On the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Haryana, a fog-related crash killed four people. Another accident on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Greater Noida left several commuters injured. The national capital region, typically alive with dawn honks and lights, has been transformed into a landscape of grey clouds where pedestrians appear only as vague silhouettes.
Why Fog Driving is Deceptively Dangerous
According to traffic safety specialists, the core hazard lies in a dangerous driver misconception. Drivers consistently overestimate their control over speed when their depth perception is compromised while the vehicle is moving. The fundamental rule is that speed must always correspond to the driver's visible field of vision. Overtaking should be avoided entirely unless a vehicle has broken down.
Anil Chhikara, former deputy commissioner of transport, provided specific recommendations for authorities and drivers. He urged the installation of variable message signs (VMS) on vulnerable stretches of road. For drivers, he suggested moving in coordinated batches, with two-wheelers following in car convoys, to prevent chain collisions during sudden braking. "Even while stopping, brakes should be applied in a pulsating manner to avoid sudden jerks that could trigger a chain reaction," Chhikara advised.
Essential Safety Protocols for Low Visibility
Experts have issued a clear set of dos and don'ts for navigating the smog. A critical mistake is using high-beam headlights, which reflect off fog particles and worsen visibility for the driver. Yellow lights are more effective at penetrating smog. Using hazard lights while the vehicle is in motion can confuse other drivers about intentions; they should only be used when the vehicle is stationary or in an emergency.
Rohit Baluja, president of the Institute of Road Traffic Education, emphasized the life-saving role of reflective traffic control devices. "Reflective road signs, markings, and delineators reflect headlight beams back to the driver, making lanes, curves, and hazards visible in advance," Baluja explained. He stressed that one cause of crashes is the absence of such reflective aids. His paramount advice: "Drivers must abstain from driving when visibility is near zero."
Vehicle maintenance is equally crucial in the winter chill. Condensation on windows can further impair sight. Two-wheeler riders must clean helmet visors regularly. Car drivers should avoid using heaters directly on the windshield as they cause moisture build-up. Instead, switching on the air-conditioner and keeping a window slightly open can prevent the glass from fogging up.
The recent tragedies underscore that wider roads and expressways offer no protection when speed is uncontrolled and conditions are poor. In the dense winter smog, vigilance, proper vehicle precautions, and alert driving remain the only reliable shields against potential disaster.
