Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh – A thick blanket of dense fog wreaked havoc on commuters in Ghaziabad early Wednesday morning, causing two major pile-ups involving approximately 50 vehicles on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE). The collisions, which occurred around 7:30 am, resulted in injuries to at least five people, though fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
The first incident took place on the Meerut-Ghaziabad carriageway of the DME, near the Bhojpur police station area, roughly 2 kilometers from the popular Hawa Hawai restaurant. In this chain-reaction collision, a bus initially collided with a stationary vehicle, triggering a cascade of impacts involving 30-35 vehicles, mostly cars.
“Three people were injured in the DME pile-up and were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment,” confirmed Surendra Nath Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural Zone).
A passenger traveling from Roorkee, whose vehicle was caught in the melee, recounted the harrowing experience: “We applied brakes after spotting a stationary bus ahead, but the cars following us couldn’t stop in time. This caused a domino effect, leading to a pile-up of 25-30 vehicles. My sister and I missed an important interview in Delhi due to this.”
The second pile-up occurred on the Baghpat-Duhai carriageway of the EPE, where 20-25 vehicles met a similar fate due to the fog-induced low visibility. “Two people sustained minor injuries in this accident,” said Siddharth Gautam, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Masuri-Muradnagar Circle).
Both accidents were directly attributed to the dense fog, which drastically reduced visibility on the expressways, making it nearly impossible for drivers to react in time to avoid collisions. The sudden appearance of stationary vehicles in the fog, coupled with the inability of trailing vehicles to see and stop in time, created a dangerous domino effect.
Following the incidents, police and emergency services swiftly mobilized to the scene to clear the roads and manage the traffic chaos. The damaged vehicles were removed from the expressways, and traffic flow was eventually restored.
The authorities have issued a strong advisory urging drivers to exercise extreme caution and maintain safe distances while driving in foggy conditions. They have also emphasized the importance of reducing speed and using fog lights to enhance visibility.
These pile-ups serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by dense fog, particularly during the winter months in the region. The reduced visibility can create treacherous conditions for drivers, making even routine commutes risky. It is crucial for drivers to be extra vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road.
Key Takeaways for Drivers in Foggy Conditions:
- Reduce Speed: Drive slower than usual and maintain a safe following distance.
- Use Fog Lights: Switch on your fog lights to improve visibility.
- Avoid Overtaking: Refrain from overtaking unless absolutely necessary.
- Stay Alert: Be extra attentive to your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards.
- Be Prepared to Stop: Drive slowly enough to be able to stop safely if needed.
- Listen to the Radio: Tune in to local radio stations for traffic updates and weather advisories.
- If Visibility is Extremely Poor: Consider postponing your journey until the fog clears.
The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accidents and are likely to review safety protocols and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, it is imperative for drivers to take personal responsibility for their safety and exercise utmost caution when driving in foggy conditions.
