Does the road adhesion decrease when driving in a tunnel?

[Silva]

Road adhesion does decrease when driving in a tunnel. The decrease in adhesion mainly refers to the impact of airflow within the tunnel on the vehicle, which reduces the friction between the tires and the road surface. Before entering a tunnel, there are traffic signs indicating width and height restrictions. Drivers must adhere to these warning signs. When passing through a culvert, it is necessary to reduce speed appropriately and check whether the vehicle's load height is within the permitted range indicated by the traffic signs. If necessary, get out of the vehicle to inspect and confirm before proceeding slowly. When approaching an uncontrolled single-lane tunnel, carefully observe both the inside of the tunnel and the entrance at the other end. If there are already vehicles inside the tunnel, take the initiative to stop and yield. If vehicles are about to enter from the other end, use high beams to signal. Once the oncoming vehicle enters the tunnel, stop immediately. If the other vehicle yields, proceed promptly. When within 50 meters of the tunnel entrance, turn on the headlights, width lights, and taillights, and check the speedometer to drive at the speed indicated by the tunnel entrance signs. Maintain a safe following distance to ensure sufficient space for avoiding hazards. Generally, a distance of over 100 meters should be kept when driving in a tunnel. For longer tunnels, follow the posted guidelines to maintain the appropriate safe driving distance. Avoid using high beams. Prolonged use of high beams at night can affect oncoming and preceding vehicles, as high beams can cause temporary blindness to drivers. The difference in light levels inside and outside the tunnel already makes it difficult for drivers to see, and the additional glare from high beams increases the risk of accidents. Therefore, high beams should be avoided.

[SabrinaDella]

Yes, the traction can indeed decrease when driving in tunnels. I remember once when I drove into a tunnel, I immediately felt the tires slipping noticeably, which gave me quite a scare. Tunnels have poor ventilation, higher humidity, and the road surface tends to be more slippery, much like driving on a wet road after rain. Additionally, the dim lighting inside makes it hard to spot accumulated dust or oil stains, which can reduce friction due to those tiny particles. Now, I’m extra cautious when driving through tunnels—maintaining a lower speed, braking early, and ensuring my tires have deep treads. I also make sure the windshield wipers aren’t worn out to maintain clear visibility. Overall, while tunnels are designed to be safe, we drivers need to pay extra attention to details, especially when entering or exiting on cloudy or rainy days, to avoid accidents by not driving too fast.

[Tricia]

Driving through tunnels can indeed lead to reduced traction. Having driven for over a decade with frequent tunnel passages, I've noticeably experienced poorer air circulation inside, where dust and oil residue tend to accumulate on the road surface, diminishing tire grip. Additionally, the flickering tunnel lighting can cause delayed eye adaptation, potentially misjudging road conditions and increasing skid risks. My advice: always check tire pressure before entering—avoid letting it drop too low; refrain from sudden acceleration when exiting, maintaining a steady speed suffices. Also, pay attention to vehicle electronic systems like ESP, which aids in balancing traction. In summary, while tunnel environments present unique challenges, applying these small techniques ensures safe navigation.

[LeEliza]

The adhesion in tunnels tends to decrease slightly. When I take my kids out, I often drive through tunnels and notice that the dim, humid environment makes tire-to-road contact less effective compared to dry surfaces outside. This is likely due to the high humidity in tunnel air and accumulated dust stirred up by traffic, which reduces friction. Now when entering tunnels, I deliberately increase following distance, reduce speed, and use the AC defogger to maintain clear visibility. For family safety, I also perform regular vehicle maintenance to ensure the braking system functions properly. These small habits significantly reduce risks.