PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Transport department has issued important guidelines for safe driving on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
According to officials, driving on this route is more comfortable and quicker compared to the old highway, but discipline and patience are essential. To ensure safe driving, individuals are advised to check their vehicle’s service, tyres and fuel before starting their journey. Facilities such as petrol stations and garages are currently being developed along this route. As the expressway is access-controlled, drivers should plan their entry and exit points in advance. Once an individual leaves an entry or exit point, he or she will need to travel a long distance to return to that point. Toll fees will be automatically deducted, so drivers should keep the FastTag active, officials said.
Informing about the entry and exit rules, they said that drivers should only enter from designated ramps and interchanges. It is prohibited to turn or stop a vehicle anywhere on the route. If someone misses their exit, they must take the next interchange. Additional rules to follow include not driving in reverse or making U-turns on the expressway and adhering to the instructions on signboards. Vehicles can be penalised through electronic cameras if they exceed the prescribed speed limit. The left lane is for heavy vehicles, the middle lane is for regular driving and the right lane is for overtaking only. Drivers should not overtake from the left and should avoid frequent lane changes, they added.
Officials emphasised that stopping the car in the middle of the road, driving in the wrong direction, using mobile phones while driving, parking on the roadside without cause, or walking on the expressway are proscribed. In case of any issues, drivers should park on the side/shoulder, turn on their hazard lights and seek assistance from helplines or patrolling services.
When entering Dehradun from the expressway, there is a continuous and steep gradient near Asharodi, so it is important to pay attention to the speed limit and drive slowly and carefully. Overtaking should be avoided at curves; drivers should only consider overtaking after the bend has passed. They further added that in the event of an accident, citizens should be a good Samaritan and assist the injured.
