tunnel. it’s here where a driver’s eyes have to adjust to a new light level, a new environment, and possibly narrower lanes and a change in traffic speed. the tunnel exit also tends to experience more accidents than within the tunnel.
the most common types of accidents in tunnels are nose-to-tail and side-swipe (i.e. changing lanes without seeing another vehicle). it’s rare that these types of accidents are serious unless there’s a truck involved or if the vehicle catches fire.
what makes tunnels more dangerous for drivers?
tunnels are expensive to construct and difficult to maintain. they are built to a minimum set of safe requirements, usually with no extra space to spare. 