“Tunnel structures offer significant economic, social, and environmental advantages over the other more commonly employed highway structure alternatives…”
So why would I be required to write about tunnels?
It’s pretty straightforward [pun intended, get it?].
I mean, yes, it is an ‘enclosed road environment’, but…
There are no cars merging in.
Often, you can’t change lanes cause there’s a double white line [and we all know what that means, right?].
You’re not subject to the elements in a tunnel. No pouring rain, no driving snow, hail or other forms of precipitation.
Once inside, all you have to do is, well, drive.
So, when the speed limit is 55 mph in said tunnel, why, do some drivers feel compelled to go 40 mph? Or 45 mph? Or any number under the speed limit?
This. Is. Not. Hard.
You barely need to move your steering wheel. And turn your lights on if they don’t come on automatically. And take your sunglasses off. Duh.
Sure, you should be as careful in a tunnel as you are on the regular old highway.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has put together this super useful ‘Tunnel Insider Tips’ to help you out if you are confused.
Pay attention, keep a safe distance, don’t do dumb things.
Other than that, PLEASE, just GO!
Note: If you suffer from claustrophobia, you should maybe avoid taking routes that require you to go through a tunnel.
Resources
U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration
Road Tunnel Safety
Tunnels: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/tunnel/
Maybe they slow down because there are always so many lights out in the tunnel!