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Economic and Social Council UNITED
NATIONS


E


Economic and Social
Council
Distr.
GENERAL

TRANS/WP.1/2005/1
4 January 2005

ENGLISH
Original: ENGLISH and
FRENCH
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
INLAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE
Working Party on Road Traffic Safety
(Forty-sixth session, 14-16 March 2005,
agenda item 5 (a))





REVISION OF THE CONSOLIDATED RESOLUTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC (R.E.1)


Safety in tunnels


Note by the secretariat

Following comments made at the 45
th
session of WP.1, members of the Working Party
will find below the draft revised text on safety in road tunnels prepared by the small group
(France, Norway, Switzerland (chair), European Commission, PRI, IRU and secretariat).


* * * * *






TRANS/WP.1/2005/1
page 2


Regulations relating to tunnels to be integrated in the restructured draft of R.E.1

Chapter 2. General rules relating to driving behaviour

2.5 Tunnels (tunnel report TRANS/AC.7/9 (introduction of C.1.1 (principles) and
document TRANS/WP.1/2002/28)

In-depth analysis of incidents on the roads network shows that an accident is
the consequence of one or more faults in a complex system involving drivers,
vehicles, the road and its surroundings. However, the principal factor in road
accidents is human error, so any effort to increase the level of road safety has to be
primarily aimed at the prevention of this type of error as well as on ways to reduce
the consequences without however ignoring other factors linked to the infrastructure and
to vehicles.

2.5.1
General rules to be observed


Basically, the driving rules that apply in tunnels are the same as those for open
roads, i.e. maintaining a safe distance, observing speed limits and maximum loads,
thoroughly securing all loads and warning other road users in the event of a breakdown
or congestion or severe slowing of traffic. And even more than on open roads, it is
recommended that drivers listen to their radio while in tunnels, on the given frequency,
so that they are able to receive any message or instruction that concerns them.
2.5.2
Specific rules to be observed


However, there are a number of additional traffic regulations, described below,
that apply especially to tunnels.


When driving in a tunnel indicated by special road signs (E 11 a), it is
obligatory to respect the provisions of Article 25 bis of the Vienna Convention on
Road Traffic (obligation to switch on passing lamps, prohibition to stop (except in
cases of emergency), to make a U-turn or reverse.

[]



These rules should also be respected in tunnels not indicated by special road signs.



Moreover, the attention of drivers should be drawn to the fact that, when they are
driving in a tunnel, it is imperative to:


- maintain an adequate distance (or that indicated at the entrance to the tunnel or
in the tunnel) from the vehicle in front. In normal conditions, drivers of cars
should respect a distance from the vehicle in front at least equal to that which a
vehicle can cover in 2 seconds. For heavy vehicles, this distance should be
doubled (4 seconds).

TRANS/WP.1/2005/1

page 3


- and respect the signing and/or road markings prohibiting overtaking. Even in
the absence of such markings and/or signing, drivers should, when there is only
one lane in each direction, avoid overtaking.



Moreover, in tunnels with two lanes in each direction, the authorities should
carry out a risk analysis to decide whether or not to prohibit drivers of heavy
vehicles from overtaking.

2.5.3
Rules for behaviour in special situations
In addition, drivers should observe the rules of behaviour described below in the
following situations:

(i) In the event of traffic congestion:

Switch on warning lights;

Keep sufficient distance from the vehicle in front, even if the traffic
is moving slowly or stopped. When stopped, a distance between
vehicles of at least 5m should be kept except in cases of
emergency;

Switch off the engine if traffic is completely stopped;

Not leave the vehicle, unless instructed to do so;

Listen for messages given on the radio.
(ii) In the event of a breakdown or accident in own vehicle:

Switch on warning lights;

If possible, drive to the exit of the tunnel or to the nearest
emergency stopping point. If that is not possible:

Switch off the engine;

Leave the vehicle;

Call for help, in the first place, from an emergency point and
follow the instructions given.

Moreover, it is possible for national legislation to also require the
placing of a prewarning triangle and/or the wearing of a safety
jacket.

(iii) In the event of a fire (own vehicle):

Switch on the warning lights;

If possible, drive to the exit of the tunnel or to the nearest
emergency stopping point. If that is not possible:

Pull over to the side;

Switch off the engine;

Leave the vehicle immediately with the passengers ; TRANS/WP.1/2005/1
page 4


Attempt to put out fire using the vehicles extinguisher or one
available in the tunnel; if that is not possib le, move away without
delay to an emergency exit;

Call for help, in the first place, from an emergency point and follow
the instructions given.
Moreover, it is possible for national legislation to require the
wearing of a safety jacket.

(iv) When stopped by a fire in another vehicle:

Switch on warning lights;

Pull over to the side;

Switch off the engine;

Leave the vehicle immediately with the passengers ;

Attempt to put out the fire using the vehicles extinguisher or one
available in the tunnel; if that is not possible, move away without
delay to an emergency exit.

Moreover, it is possible for national legislation to require the
wearing of a safety jacket.



See also on this subject recommendations 5.1.1.2, 5.1.2.3 and 5.2.1.3.
Chapter 5 How to influence behaviour on the road

5.1 Education/training

5.1.1
Driving permit
5.1.1.2 Driving in tunnels (tunnel report TRANS/AC.7/9 and document
TRANS/WP.1/2002/28, measure 1.02)

Tests (theory part) to obtain a driving permit for all categories of vehicles
should include questions specifically concerning the special regulations for
tunnels indicated by special road signs (Article 25 bis of the Vienna Convention
on Road Traffic) as well as the correct behaviour to assume in particular
situations, for example in the event of a vehicle breakdown, congestion, accident
or fire in a tunnel (see recommendations 2.5.1 to 2.5.3).

5.1.2
Professional instruction (3.1 and Annexes 4, 5, 6 and 7)

5.1.2.3 Instruction
(c)
(Tunnel report TRANS/AC.7/9 and document
TRANS/WP.1/2002/28, measure 1.05)
The training of drivers of lorries, coaches and buses should include certain
aspects concerning correct behaviour in tunnels. It is also essential that they
TRANS/WP.1/2005/1

page 5


possess adequate knowledge of the safety-relevant aspects of their vehicles and
equipment. In particular, all these drivers should be trained in the correct use of a
fire extinguisher. All these safety aspects should be studied not only during
initial training, but also in refresher or retraining courses (at least every five
years), which should be encouraged and generalized.

5.2
Awareness/communication
5.2.1.3 Special case of tunnels (Tunnel report TRANS/AC.7/9 and document
TRANS/WP.1/2002/28 (C.1.1 (principles) and measures 1.01 and 1.03)
In order to increase user awareness of safety in tunnels, information campaigns
should be regularly organized in collaboration with the principal partners
involved.
(a)
These campaigns should cover the behaviour road users should adopt
when approaching and driving through tunnels or when they encounter special
situations such as a vehicle breakdown, congestion, an accident or a fire, as well
as the safety equipment available in tunnels.

In this regard, the rules to be observed as described in recommendations 2.5.1 to
2.5.3 should be borne in mind.

(b)
These campaigns should be effected in particular by means of displays in
rest areas before tunnels and at tunnel entrances themselves when the traffic is
stopped (for example, at tolls).

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