Tunnels

By the end of this topic you can

• You can prepare your car and yourself before entering a tunnel.
• You can keep the right gap and obey tunnel speed limits and lane signals.
• You can act correctly if traffic stops in a tunnel.
• You can act correctly in a breakdown or fire.
• You can read tunnel lane control signs.

What you need to know and understand

• Before entering, remove sunglasses, switch on dipped headlights and tune to the radio frequency shown at the entrance.
• Keep at least 50 metres from the vehicle in front in a car; 100 metres for vehicles other than cars and motorcycles.
• Do not overtake, turn or reverse in a tunnel, and do not stop except in an emergency.
• A green arrow pointing down means the lane is open; a red X means the lane is closed and you must stop.
• Tunnel speed limits can be variable and are shown on electronic signs.
• If you break down, switch off the engine, put on hazard lights and use an emergency station phone.
• Check you have enough fuel before you enter.

Before you go in

1. Check your fuel.
2. Take off sunglasses and switch on dipped headlights.
3. Tune to the tunnel radio station shown on the entrance sign.
4. Read the restrictions on the approach signs.

In the tunnel

Keep in your lane and leave a gap of at least 50 metres. Obey the speed limit, including any variable limits on electronic signs, and the lane control signals above each lane. If traffic stops, keep a safe gap, switch on hazard lights, switch off the engine and listen to the radio and watch the signs for instructions.

Breakdown or fire

• Breakdown or crash: engine off, hazard lights on, and use the phone at an emergency station to tell the tunnel operator.
• Smoke or fire in your own vehicle: switch off the engine, get out at once, use the emergency station phone to tell the tunnel operator, and leave the tunnel by the nearest exit.
• Fire in a vehicle behind you: drive on out of the tunnel.
• Fire in a vehicle ahead: stop, switch off the engine, leave the car at once and walk to the nearest emergency exit.

Common mistakes

• Entering with sunglasses on, so the change in light leaves you unable to see.
• Following too closely, especially in slow traffic.
• Changing lanes or overtaking inside the tunnel.
• Staying with the car during a fire to protect your belongings.
• Ignoring a red X because the lane looks clear.

Test yourself: Tunnels

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.