What should be noted when a vehicle enters a tunnel?
3 Answers
The precautions for vehicles entering a tunnel are: 1. Carefully observe the height and width limit signs and instructions at the entrance. Vehicles that do not meet the requirements are strictly prohibited from entering the tunnel; 2. Carefully check for oncoming traffic and sound the horn appropriately or turn on the width indicator lights when passing through; 3. When entering a two-way tunnel, drive on the right side, turn on the lights, pay attention to oncoming vehicles, and avoid honking inside the tunnel; 4. Overtaking, reversing, turning around, and parking are not allowed in the tunnel. If the vehicle breaks down, turn on the width indicator lights and taillights, and try to move the vehicle outside the tunnel. A tunnel is an engineering structure buried in the ground, utilizing underground space.
I drive extra carefully in tunnels, mainly focusing on light management. As soon as I enter, the light dims and my eyes need time to adjust, so turning on the headlights or daytime running lights in advance is crucial. I reduce my speed since many tunnels have surveillance cameras with speed limits around 60 km/h. Maintaining a safe following distance is key—keeping at least a three-second gap provides a buffer in case the car ahead brakes suddenly. Ventilation in tunnels can be poor, so I avoid opening windows randomly to prevent unpleasant odors from entering. As someone who frequently drives long distances, I also make it a habit to check the air conditioning settings, turning on the recirculation mode to ensure fresh air and avoid inhaling smoke or dust. Additionally, staying focused is essential—no phone use or distracting conversations, as even a small mistake in an enclosed space can be dangerous. Finally, I familiarize myself with emergency exit locations beforehand, though I hope never to need them—safety always comes first.
When entering a tunnel, I focus on the basic operations: turning on the lights, slowing down, and maintaining a straight line. The change in light is too sudden, and without turning on the lights, it's easy to hit the wall or the car behind. Controlling the speed to around 40 mph is safer, as tunnels often have slopes or curves, and going too fast makes it hard to brake. Maintain a distance of at least 50 meters to avoid rear-end collisions. As a beginner, I also remind myself not to change lanes frequently and just follow the car in front. Set the air conditioning to internal circulation to prevent exhaust fumes and keep drinking water handy to avoid dry mouth. The noise is loud, but don’t turn up the music too much—focus on listening to the navigation prompts. The first time through a tunnel was really nerve-wracking, but with a few more practices, it gets easier. The key is to prioritize safety.
