Dealing with Tunnels

Tunnels

TUNNELS (HC 254 – 299)

When approaching a tunnel remember to put on your dipped headlights. Do not wear sunglasses as you drive in the tunnel and keep a look out for signs giving directions and information. Lastly remember to keep your distance from the car in front for safety.

If you breakdown in switch on the hazard lights, switch off the ignition, leave the car deal with any casualty’s and inform the emergency service if the car is on fire and you can safely drive the car out of the tunnel do so if not stop the car and inform the emergency services as soon as possible.

Tunnels safety features

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Usingmotorwaysandroads/Roadsafetyadvice/DG_185061

In order to keep road traffic moving safely, road tunnels have a range of features:

• tunnel lighting – to improve visibility at the entrance and inside the tunnel  (emergency exits and emergency stations have continuous lighting that operates even if the main tunnel lighting fails)
• emergency stations – these are located at frequent intervals and have fire extinguishers and emergency phones connected to the tunnel control room
• emergency exits – these are clearly marked with signs and lights and have fire- and smoke-proof doors (in a fire leave your vehicle immediately and follow the routes marked by emergency lights to an emergency exit)
• ventilation system – in the event of a fire this will push smoke out of the tunnel in a single direction (if you need to walk to an emergency exit during a fire, you should face the air flow)
• traffic cameras – if an emergency call is made from a section of the tunnel, the control room operator’s monitor automatically shows images from the camera in that section

From time to time tunnels will be closed for vital routine maintenance. When this happens, there will be a local diversion signposted.

What to do as you enter the tunnel

A few simple steps will keep you safe:

• obey traffic lights and signs
• make sure you have enough fuel
• switch on your headlights (and remove your sunglasses)
• keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front (cars should leave at least a two-second gap, lorries at least a four-second gap)
• do not overtake if there is only one lane in each direction
• do not stop, except in an emergency
• do not turn or reverse

What to do inside the tunnel

If traffic is queueing

If traffic stops in the tunnel for any reason you should:

• switch on your hazard warning lights
• keep your distance – even if you are moving slowly or have stopped
• switch off the engine if you stop for more than a minute
• listen to the radio for any messages
• follow the instructions given by tunnel officials or obey any electronic message signs

If you are involved in an accident or your car breaks down

If your car breaks down in the tunnel you should:

• switch on your hazard warning lights
• try to move your vehicle to the hard shoulder (if there is no hard shoulder you should pull over to the side)
• switch off your engine
• leave your vehicle if it is safe to do so
• if necessary and possible give help to injured people
• call for help from an emergency station and follow the instructions given by the tunnel officials

If a vehicle catches fire

If there is a fire in the tunnel, leave your vehicle unlocked and follow the signs to an emergency exit as soon as possible. Call for help from an emergency phone.

What to do if your vehicle is on fire

If it is safe to do so you should drive out of the tunnel. If this is not possible, you should:

• pull over to the side
• switch off the engine
• leave the vehicle quickly and carefully
• call for help from an emergency station
• if you can, put out the fire using an extinguisher from the emergency station (only extinguish the fire yourself if it has just started – and don’t open the bonnet as the engine may be hot and could increase the fire)
• if you can, give first aid to injured people
• follow the signs to an emergency exit and leave the tunnel as soon as possible