The National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) has issued a critical alert to all road users across Pakistan as dense fog blankets vast regions of the country, causing significant disruptions to major travel arteries. The advisory, released on Sunday, December 8, 2024, specifically highlights severe visibility issues on several key motorways and national highways, urging extreme caution.
Affected Routes and Current Conditions
The NHMP has identified multiple sections where visibility has dropped to alarmingly low levels, making driving hazardous. According to the official warning, the most severely impacted routes include the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1), the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M-2), and the Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Motorway (M-3). Additionally, national highways connecting major cities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are experiencing similar conditions.
Travelers are reporting near-zero visibility in areas like the Salt Range and central Punjab, forcing many to halt their journeys or drive at a crawl. The police spokesperson emphasized that the fog is particularly thick during the late night and early morning hours, with conditions expected to persist for the coming days as winter sets in.
Official Safety Instructions from Motorway Police
In response to the dangerous conditions, the NHMP has laid out a clear set of guidelines for drivers. The foremost instruction is to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy hours, especially between midnight and 10:00 AM. For those who must drive, the police have mandated the use of fog lights and low-beam headlights, while strictly prohibiting the use of high beams, which cause glare and reduce visibility further.
Other critical safety measures include:
- Reducing speed significantly according to the visibility range.
- Maintaining a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
- Using roadside shoulder lights and lane markings as guides.
- Listening for traffic sounds and using indicators well in advance of any turn or lane change.
- In case of near-zero visibility, safely moving the vehicle to the shoulder, turning on hazard lights, and waiting for conditions to improve.
The NHMP has also activated its patrolling teams and emergency services along these routes to assist stranded motorists and respond to any incidents promptly.
Broader Impact and Traveler Advisory
The dense fog has caused more than just inconvenience; it has led to substantial travel delays, disrupted inter-city transport schedules, and increased the risk of chain-reaction accidents. Long-haul goods transportation is also facing setbacks, potentially affecting supply chains.
The motorway police are urging the public to stay informed by checking official NHMP social media channels or calling their helpline for real-time updates on road closures and visibility reports before embarking on any journey. They remind citizens that safety is a shared responsibility and that adhering to these guidelines is crucial for protecting both themselves and others on the road during this perilous weather phenomenon.
This seasonal fog is a recurring challenge in Pakistan's plains during winter, and authorities stress that preparedness and cautious driving are the only effective countermeasures against the heightened risks it brings to highway travel disruption.
