Road_to_Solo_driving_handbook (2)

Rules and responsibilities
124
Driving safely in tunnels
When driving in tunnels:
• Remove sunglasses before entering
a tunnel
• Turn on your headlights, so that
your vehicle is more visible
• Tunnels usually have variable
speed limits. Lower limits apply
when traffic is congested or when
an incident has occurred (e.g. a
crash or broken down vehicle).
Look for speed limit signs and stay
within the limit in accordance with
conditions
• Check and obey variable message
and lane control signs that provide
important information about safety
and traffic conditions
• Stay out of closed lanes. Even if you
can’t see the problem, always obey
signs and controller instructions
• Keep a safe distance from other
vehicles
• Lane changing causes many
crashes on busy arterial roads.
Avoid lane changing and overtaking
while travelling through tunnels
• If you really need to overtake
another vehicle (e.g. if it is broken
down) make sure you are clear of
all other traffic and it is safe. Always
use your indicators to show your
intention to merge or change lanes
• Turn your car radio on. Tunnels have
re-broadcast systems that convey
safety and traffic information to
drivers via their radio and the tunnel
public announcement system
• Do not stop in a tunnel except in
an emergency or if directed by
the tunnel controller. Try to drive
out of a tunnel even if your vehicle
is damaged or has a mechanical
malfunction
• Do not reverse in a tunnel
• Do not enter a tunnel if your vehicle
is very low on fuel or you think that
you might break down.
If you break down in a tunnel you
should:
• If possible, drive out of the tunnel;
otherwise, try to stop in a right or
left lane, not the centre lane
• Switch on your hazard lights and
the radio
• Stay calm, an incident response
unit will attend to you as quickly
as possible
• Remain in your vehicle, unless
there’s a fire or you are asked to
evacuate by the control room
• If you do have to get out, watch
carefully for other traffic and move
to either the walkway or in front of
your vehicle. Never stand behind
your vehicle
• In an evacuation, look for the
running man symbols and flashing
lights for a safe exit point.