Traveling south... For many people in Europe, Italy and Spain are favorite holiday destinations. The traveling is mostly done by car, which is not always without its problems. Traffic jams aside, the journey south involves numerous tunnels. Many travelers feel uneasy in the dark, narrow tubes, combined with the knowledge that they have thousands of tons of rock above their heads. Holiday-seekers suffering from claustrophobia must overcome especially high levels of anxiety when passing through tunnels. Nevertheless, accidents in tunnels are less likely than on highways or country roads. However, if there is an accident in a tunnel, it is generally more serious. Most accidents are caused by driving errors.

Given this, drivers should heed some key rules to ensure they pass through tunnels safely. As a matter of principle, driving style - and, in particular, speed - must be appropriate to the local conditions and the speed limits and other signs observed. Keeping a sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead is also important. This distance should be greater than normal, to give drivers enough space and time to react in case of emergency. Sunglasses have no place in dark tunnels and should be taken off. Drivers should also switch on the headlights of their cars. Before setting out on a journey, they should check that the headlights are correctly adjusted. The weight of the luggage changes the level of the headlights and may result in drivers in the opposite lane being blinded. In tunnels with two-way traffic, passing is strictly forbidden. Drivers should take their orientation from the right-hand edge of the lane to keep their cars on track. Concentration is essential for safety. Given this, the windows should remain closed, reducing the noise level and making it easier for the driver to concentrate on road traffic. After all, the motto is better safe than sorry!

For more information, contact:
Heidi Atzler
TÜV SÜD AG
Corporate Communications
Westendstaße 199, 80686 Munich
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 / 57 91-29 35
Fax: +49 (0) 89 / 57 91-22 69
Email: heidi.atzler@tuev-sued.de
Internet: www.tuev-sued.de

TÜV SÜD is a leading international service organization catering to the strategic business segments INDUSTRY, MOBILITY, and PEOPLE. Approximately 15,000 employees are represented at more than 600 locations throughout the world. Optimizing technology, systems, and know-how, the interdisciplinary specialist teams act as process partners to strengthen their customers' competitiveness.