Staff Reporter :
Fog-induced accidents are a recurring issue in Bangladesh, particularly during the winter months, significantly affecting road safety and traffic flow. Dense fog reduces visibility, leading to a surge in accidents, prolonged traffic jams, and disruption to daily life.
One of the primary causes of such accidents is the drastic reduction in visibility during foggy conditions.
Drivers often find it difficult to spot obstacles, road signs, or other vehicles until it is too late to react, leading to collisions and pile-ups. In addition, many drivers lack proper training to navigate safely in low-visibility conditions, further increasing the risks.
A notable example occurred recently on the highway, where heavy fog led to multiple accidents, including an overturned cargo van and a truck collision.
The situation was worsened when drivers, in an attempt to bypass the blocked lanes, moved to the opposite lane, creating further chaos.
This chain of events resulted in a 14-kilometer-long traffic jam, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours. The delay disrupted passenger travel and the transport of goods, causing significant economic losses.
Fog-induced accidents also highlight infrastructural shortcomings. Inadequate safety measures such as the absence of fog lights, reflectors, and clear road markers make highways particularly hazardous. The lack of real-time monitoring systems to warn drivers about low visibility conditions exacerbates the issue.
The consequences of these accidents extend beyond immediate traffic disruptions. They lead to economic losses due to delayed transportation, injuries, fatalities, and environmental harm caused by prolonged fuel consumption during traffic jams. To mitigate this problem, Bangladesh must prioritise road safety initiatives.
Raising driver awareness about safe practices during foggy weather, improving road infrastructure with advanced safety technologies, and enforcing stricter regulations can significantly reduce the risks. Moreover, incorporating real-time traffic monitoring systems would enable authorities to take preventive measures promptly.
