Driving and being safe in a (long) tunnel
Written by Olivier Duquesne on 07-04-2023
The risk of serious accidents is higher in tunnels. In mountainous regions or with a complex coastline, these structures can exceed 5 km. Here’s how to behave while driving.
Any tunnel crossing requires increased vigilance for your safety and that of others. In particular, there is the change in light and confinement which can disrupt and complicate driving. The most important thing in a tunnel is to respect safety distances and the imposed speed. In the event of an incident, you must follow the instructions on the variable display or broadcast in the tunnel. In the event of an evacuation , try to remain calm and quickly reach a secure area or emergency exit. The emergency huts have a system allowing you to wait for help in safety with a telephone station and tools to protect yourself.
Good reflexes before entering a long tunnel
- Check traffic information online (when stopped), on the variable display, at a service area or on the radio (TMC) to find out about any traffic jams at the tunnel entrance or a closure in the event of an incident to anticipate a long wait or prepare an alternative route.
- When approaching the tunnel, in case of stress, there is often a service area to relax or go to the toilet.
- If passengers are present, ask them to avoid sleeping so they are ready to react quickly. The front passenger can also act as co-pilot.
- Be prepared to take off your sunglasses (and put on your regular prescription glasses).
- Make sure your headlights are in automatic mode or turn them on manually.
- No malfunction warning lights should be displayed on your vehicle’s dashboard. Never enter a tunnel with a vehicle that is in trouble, has suspicious smoke, or could potentially break down.
- Have enough fuel or battery capacity to complete the journey through the tunnel.
- Connect the car radio to the frequency(s) indicated at the tunnel entrance (or set the TMC to receive traffic information even while leaving the radio muted or listening to another source).
- Proceed to the toll if necessary.
- Keep in mind that very often 1 km in a tunnel is 1 minute of travel time.
Good reflexes when entering the tunnel
- The change in light can disrupt and reduce visibility, look far in front of you.
- Low beam headlights must be turned on when entering the tunnel, even if it is lit.
- Obey lane closures. If (X) is displayed, do not take this route.
- Do not enter a tunnel when the red light is on.
- In the event of a traffic jam, do not enter the tunnel without checking that traffic has not completely stopped in the tube.
- In case of negative temperatures, there may be a little ice at the entrance to the tunnel!
- In case of rain, the tunnel entrance may be slippery.
- Respect the indicated speeds.
- Keep a safe distance (sometimes with a minimum imposed by signage).
Good reflexes in the tunnel
- Always obey speed limits.
- Do not overtake in alternating traffic.
- Never turn around.
- Respect safety distances.
- Locate the signage of secure spaces, niches and emergency exits.
- If a vehicle appears to be in difficulty, keep your safe distance.
- Never stop, except in the event of an incident, breakdown, traffic jam, red light or alert in the tunnel.
- In the event of a traffic jam or incident:
- put on your hazard lights;
- respect safety distances (even when stopped);
- in the event of a fixed or flashing red light: stop;
- follow the instructions of the radio, variable display or road personnel and be prepared to leave the vehicle (with safety vest).
- In the event of a breakdown of your vehicle:
- turn on your hazard lights and try to reach an emergency stop location or, if it is close (indication of the distance on signs), try to reach the tunnel exit;
- if the vehicle cannot reach a secure area, park it calmly as far as the right of the road (on the left in countries where driving is on the left);
- in the event of immobilization, put on your safety vest and exit carefully;
- have your passengers evacuate to a safe place (with safety vest) or a few meters in front of the vehicle
- If a fire starts in the vehicle, try to control the fire with a tunnel extinguisher or the one on board the vehicle, but do not insist if it seems out of control, it is better to evacuate and have all users evacuated of the tunnel
- use the emergency call point to request help, do not intervene on site.
- In the event of an evacuation or fire order:
- put on your hazard lights, turn off the engine and leave your key clearly visible on the dashboard (for emergency and breakdown services);
- do not take any luggage (only your identity papers if they are already on you or within reach);
- put on your safety vest, help and take care of your passengers (also wearing a safety vest);
- never return to your car without being invited to do so by the security services;
- if there is thick smoke, try to progress as close to the ground as possible (less toxic air);
- use the arrows to find the exit, emergency exit or safety niche;
- move forward in an orderly manner, do not run (except in danger of death), do not fight and, if you have the possibility without recklessly putting yourself in danger, help people with reduced mobility or in difficulty;
- in the niche, notify the emergency services using the telephone and if necessary use the equipment available to protect yourself from the flames;
- if necessary, and you have the skills, provide first aid, calm people in panic or help those in difficulty;
- once the emergency services are on site, scrupulously follow their instructions and, if you have any, possibly give the necessary information to help them find other potential victims in the tunnel.
Good reflexes when exiting the tunnel
- Expect glare or sudden changes in brightness.
- Always keep your safe distance.
- In the event of rain, snow or ice, the exit from the tunnel can be (very) slippery.
- If you have noticed a potentially dangerous problem, notify the emergency services (112 or call point) after exiting the tunnel and try to warn users in the opposite direction by flashing your headlights.
- Wait until the speed limit ends before accelerating.
- Proceed to the toll if necessary.