PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Transport department has appealed to citizens to drive attentively and safely on the Delhi-Dehradun expressway which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deputy transport commissioner Shailesh Tiwari emphasised that accidents on the expressway often occur due to wrong-side driving, high speeds and other factors. He also noted that there have been reports of wrong-side driving circulating on social media regarding the expressway.
He urged citizens to practice safe driving and adhere to traffic rules while using the Delhi-Dehradun expressway. He said that driving on the wrong side or the wrong way can lead to serious accidents. For example, if one vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction while others approach from the opposite side, the likelihood of a collision increases significantly. On the expressway, cars drive at speed which could result in severe accidents and injuries in case of driving on the wrong side.
In light of this, he encouraged everyone to refrain from driving the wrong way. He also said that any vehicle found driving against traffic and caught would face legal action, which may include fines or vehicle seizure. Additionally, he advised that when entering or exiting Dehradun via the expressway, drivers should exercise caution considering visibility issues in the tunnel. Tiwari said that there is a continuous slope near Asharodi and that drivers should reduce their speed to 50 or 60 kmph upon reaching this point.
He further said that the expressway is a six-lane highway which narrows to four lanes at the end (when it heads to the city). This transition may lead to traffic congestion, so he urged citizens to follow traffic rules and drive within their lanes.
Tiwari also highlighted the presence of wildlife corridors along the expressway. He reminded drivers to avoid honking and most importantly, not litter while travelling through these areas.
It will be recalled that recently Transport department has issued important guidelines for safe driving on the Delhi-Dehradun expressway. To ensure safe driving, individuals are advised to check their vehicle’s service, tyres and fuel before starting their journey. Drivers should not overtake from the left and should avoid frequent lane changes, among others.
