In a move to curb nighttime accidents, Golaghat district authorities have launched a major road safety drive, painting tree trunks and light posts white and fitting them with reflector strips along major roads.
The district-wide initiative aims to make fixed roadside obstacles clearly visible to motorists after dark. The operation is progressing rapidly, initially focusing on high-density corridors near Golaghat town before expanding to all major district roads.
“A significant number of post-sunset accidents occur due to poor visibility of objects on road margins. By making these obstacles glow, we extend a driver’s reaction time, which can be the difference between a safe journey and a tragedy,” Golaghat SSP Rajen Singh said.
The dual-method approach maximises visibility. The white paint provides a stark contrast against dark backgrounds, while the reflector strips actively bounce back vehicle headlights, offering an early warning to drivers. This is especially crucial on stretches with limited or no street lighting.
The drive addresses a persistent hazard in the district, where many trees and light posts are positioned close to the carriageway. Golaghat, a key transit corridor for Upper Assam, experiences considerable traffic, including heavy commercial vehicles.
Road safety experts endorse such cost-effective, high-impact interventions. By enhancing the visibility of static hazards, the initiative provides drivers with precious extra seconds to manoeuvre safely, promising to significantly reduce collision risks after dusk.
