LUCKNOW, Dec. 18 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday issued strict instructions to senior officials to ensure public safety and effective traffic management in wake of the rising number of road accidents and pile ups caused by dense fog and severe cold conditions across Uttar Pradesh in the past five days, senior state government officials said. The chief minister directed divisional commissioners, inspectors general, district magistrates, police officials, traffic authorities and urban local bodies to remain on high alert and ensure proper management during periods of dense fog and poor visibility. He stressed that streetlights on roads, highways and in residential lanes must be checked continuously and repaired immediately if found defective. Dark spots prone to accidents are to be identified urgently and corrective measures taken without delay. He instructed the authorities to install reflectors on highways and major roads as per requirement to improve visibility for motorists. Officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and state highways were asked to coordinate closely and deploy teams on the ground to keep traffic arrangements functional, especially during early morning and late-night hours. To reduce accidents on expressways, the chief minister ordered enhanced patrolling, strict monitoring of speed limits and firm action against over-speeding during foggy conditions. He directed that traffic movement on expressways should be regulated during periods of extremely low visibility, with cranes and ambulances deployed round-the-clock to handle emergencies. Toll plazas have been instructed to use loudspeakers to warn drivers about fog conditions ahead. Emphasising public awareness, he urged commuters to follow travel advisories issued by the administration for safe journeys. These include driving below speed limits, using fog lights, maintaining safe distance from vehicles ahead, etc....