Driving through tunnels: some tips for doing it safely

The holiday season for trips away from home is starting. Good weather will arrive before long, and trips will multiply over the coming months. But when it comes to getting behind the wheel, there are several things to keep in mind that can make the journey more relaxed and help it go smoothly. One of the most challenging points can be any of the tunnels that cut through mountainous areas and must be crossed to reach your destination. They are very safe stretches of road, but certain precautions are needed when driving through them.

Tunnels have different conditions from stretches that run in the open air, and this must be taken into account when driving through them. Humidity is higher in underground sections, which causes the tyres to lose grip. It is also worth remembering that inside a tunnel it is harder for emergency services to get access, so even the slightest collision can lead to serious safety problems.

One of the problems when driving through tunnels, especially very long ones, is the presence of toxic gases produced by car exhausts. Normally, very efficient air extraction systems are in operation, but there can always be a fault or some reason why they do not work properly. For this reason, it is always advisable to keep the windows closed and, if the air conditioning or ventilation must be running, it is better to set it to “recirculation” mode so that it does not draw in air from outside.

In the event of a breakdown, stay calm and signal

Having a breakdown inside a tunnel is one of the worst things that can happen to us. These are very confined spaces, and the breakdown may force us to stop the car inside it. Above all, you must signal your presence by using the hazard lights. If you have to stop the vehicle inside the tunnel, it is advisable to reach the emergency refuge areas that exist in most long tunnels.

These spaces allow a car to be parked if needed and offer a safe place to wait for assistance. If there is no such safety area, the vehicle must stop in the right-hand lane, signalling the manoeuvre and taking all necessary precautions. If there is mobile signal, the tow truck should be called if necessary, and you must get out of the vehicle wearing high-visibility vests and place the warning triangles to alert approaching cars from behind to the obstacle they are about to encounter.

If the car cannot be driven to the tunnel exit, it is advisable to walk out of the tunnel, but with great care. Some tunnels have a small hard shoulder along which you should walk, and you should never enter the carriageway. Of course, every tunnel is different, and there may be no places where it is safe to walk, so you must increase your visibility by using a torch to make yourself seen (taking care, of course, not to dazzle other drivers).

Remember that safety comes first, so if it is difficult to walk along the tunnel carriageway, it is better to stop and wait for assistance. If it is not possible to call for help by phone, tunnels usually have an SOS post system that connects to emergency services. It is important to get out of the car and, after signalling your presence, move to a prudent distance to avoid injuries in the event of a collision.

Our recommendation is that, whenever you enter a tunnel, take extra precautions, reduce your speed and switch on your dipped headlights, always, even if the journey is short. Although your vehicle may be fine, you never know what you may find inside. And if there is a stopped vehicle on the route and your speed is excessive, an accident may occur that spoils the enjoyment of the trip.

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