How to Drive Your Car Safely In A Tunnel? Best Tunnel Driving Habits

The longest tunnel in the world above 10,000ft., Atal Tunnel was opened on 3rd October 2020 by the Indian Prime Minister. This engineering marvel connects Manali to Lahaul Spiti throughout the year! While this tunnel seems to be a delight for the travellers, it has proven to be a nightmare for some. We have already come across many accidents due to people stopping to take selfies or reckless driving. Considering all the accidents that happened inside the tunnel, in today’s featured, we will tell you how to drive safely in tunnels so that you can enjoy your trip to this wonderful engineering masterpiece!

1. Turn ON your headlights
   

   

   When entering the tunnel, make sure your car’s headlights are turned on. No matter how lit the tunnel may look, you should never switch your car’s headlights off. This is to make sure that the oncoming cars notice your presence well in advance and drive accordingly. This is the most simple thing you can do to drive safely in tunnels.

   Read 10 Night Driving Tips very specific for Indian Roads!

2. Keep a safe following distance
   

   

   The best way to ensure that you are driving safely in tunnels is to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. You should maintain at least a 3-second stopping distance from the car ahead. However, you should be more careful if you are new to a particular road because you won’t know about the blind turns or the terrains ahead. Therefore, we suggest you to always be careful while following a vehicle on the road.

3. Avoid sudden braking
   

   

   Okay, let’s say you have maintained a safe distance from the car ahead. Does the same go for the person behind you? Well, they should maintain a safe distance but you can’t be sure about that. In this case, we suggest you avoid sudden braking and therefore driving safely in tunnels. Be very cautious about the cars around you and try to avoid emergency braking and keep the car in your control and drive efficiently.

4. Obey the tunnel rules!
   

   

   Not only inside the tunnels, but you should always abide by the traffic rules on the roads! Another tip to drive safely inside the tunnels is to obey what the signs say. This is not the Atal tunnel in the picture above but all such tunnels have speed limit markings or other pavement markings which you surely need to pay attention to. Therefore, another simple thing you can do to drive safely in tunnels is to be vigilant and pay attention to each and every marking there on the road. Drive strictly according to communication.

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5. Don’t be low on fuel
   

   

   You know that you are entering a tunnel well in advance right? So make sure that before entering the tunnel, your fuel tank is at least half full. This is because we obviously don’t have fuel stations or petrol pumps (you might say) inside a tunnel. There is no point entering a long tunnel while your low-fuel warning is on. You will anyhow have to suffer is your car is out of fuel at any point in time.

6. Don’t change lanes (unnecessarily)
   

   

   Yes! you should try to drive in a single lane inside the tunnel as long as possible. Avoid changing lanes for fun. Well, you should never do such things on a normal road also, but tunnels need you to be extra cautious with everything. If you tend to change lane, you should inform other cars about it well-in-advance. Use your turn indicators to tell others about an intended lane change. However, you should avoid changing lanes inside a tunnel.

7. Don’t stop or park inside the tunnel
   

   

   We know the Atal tunnel is new and all of us are excited about it. Being excited to have a drive through the tunnel is absolutely understandable. But don’t be like those who were stopping in the middle of the road, just to click selfies. This tunnel is a road which has been made to ease your travel. Be very sure that you abide by the rules and don’t stop anywhere inside the tunnel unless you have got no other choice.

8. Get your vehicle checked beforehand
   

   

   We suggest you get your car thoroughly inspected before you set out on a road trip. Well, we are talking about tunnels here so one of the basic tips that will help you drive safely in tunnels is to get your car checked for fitness before you enter one. This is because it is really difficult to stop at any place due to a breakdown once you get inside the tunnel.

9. Take safe measures if your car breaks down
   

   

   We already told you that you should get your car checked thoroughly before setting on to a trip. If you anyhow face a breakdown, see if you can take your car to the nearest emergency exit. This would be the best way out. In case you have had an accident and can’t move your car, make sure that you switch on your car’s hazard lights and put the safety triangle at least 100m away from the point of the incident so that others can manage accordingly and drive safely.

These were the 9 tips we think, you need to know about how to drive safely in tunnels. Well, the Atal tunnel is open and awaits you but be sure you are safe while you are inside. Also, make sure that you make it a safer place to be for others as well. Be cautious and avoid rash driving. For getting your car inspected, you know where to go! Stay pinned and happy motoring!

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