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Difficulty: HardDealing with Vehicle Fires

If your vehicle catches fire inside a road tunnel and cannot be driven out, you should switch off the engine, leave the keys in the ignition, and immediately evacuate all occupants through the nearest emergency exit.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True — When a vehicle on fire cannot be driven out of a tunnel, the driver must switch off the engine, leave the keys in the ignition, and evacuate immediately via the nearest exit.
Under UK Highway Code and DVSA tunnel emergency guidelines, if a vehicle cannot be driven out of a tunnel during a fire, you must pull over, turn off the engine, leave the keys in the ignition, and evacuate immediately. Leaving the keys in the ignition ensures emergency services can steer or tow the vehicle without dealing with an engaged steering lock.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess whether the vehicle can be safely driven out of the tunnel.
Confirm that exiting the tunnel is impossible and the vehicle must be brought to a halt safely at the side or in an emergency layby.
Driving out of a tunnel reduces toxic smoke accumulation, but if impossible, safe positioning is critical.
2
Switch off the engine, turn on hazard warning lights, and leave the keys in the ignition.
Fuel delivery is cut to reduce fire spread, approaching traffic is warned, and the steering mechanism remains unlocked.
Emergency services must be able to push, steer, or tow the vehicle without being blocked by an engaged steering column lock.
3
Evacuate all occupants and proceed directly to the nearest marked emergency exit.
Occupants reach a sealed, smoke-free escape corridor or refuge.
Toxic smoke and oxygen depletion present the most immediate threat to life inside an enclosed tunnel.

Key Concept

Vehicle abandonment and emergency responder access protocols during tunnel fires
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Topics

Dealing with Vehicle Fires

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