My 17 year old son took his driving theory test today and introduced me to this question on the way to the test centre, as we were driving through the Mersey Tunnel: You are driving through a tunnel. Your vehicle catches fire. What should you do? Carry out an emergency stop Reverse out of the tunnel Turn your vehicle around immediately Continue through the tunnel if you can The answer can be found at http://www.taketheorytes....uk/learn/2704/question/ I will be interested in anyone's view of the answer. Thanks. (He failed by the way, 5 marks short on one of the two sections).

I would say continue through the tunnel if you can. Reason being that the smoke and fire in a confined space such as a tunnel is a danger for you and the other road users. If you can exit the tunnel and then exit the vehicle safely, then I would do this. A difficult scenario, and one I hope I don't have to encounter!

"if you can" are perhaps the key words.

I had this on my theory last year and said continue through the tunnel if you can- I got one wrong in the multiple choice test but I won't say if it was this one :-)

I chose the last option as it seemed the most logical from a safety perspective. It reminds me of my theory test when I was passing out as a train driver. "In a tunnel section you are held at a junction by a red light when you realise your train is on fire - what do you do"? As you contemplate the examiner throws in - "smoke is now entering your cab." I answered, I would pass the red light and stop at the nearest station. Answer - there is no right or wrong answer apparently. Except doing nothing and being overcome with fumes.

There might be no choice but to abandon the car where it comes to a halt, if the fire damages something vital to controlling /powering/driving the car etc.

There are many causes of and types of vehicle fires, including burning fuel being pumped via an operating fuel pump. To carry on driving in this scenario would put the vehicle occupants in grave danger where to stop the vehicle and swith off the ignition would stop the pump, may not stop a fuel leak however. If the fire involves a front engine vehicle just imagine the smoke entering the passenger compartment as the vehicle is driven forwards, not only hazardous to health but sure to impair visibility. I can see why people lean toward the safety of other tunnel users but the vehicle occupants may be in severe risk to their lives, a higher risk than other tunnel users. There may be a fuel leakage onto the roadway as well, could form a two mile skating rink. Stop the vehicle, Get out, stay out and call the brigade out is my advice. Unless Sly Stallone is in the vicinity, anyone see his film Daylight

The knowledge and understanding section below the question says this:- "The main dangers in a tunnel fire are suffocation and smoke. If you can do so safely it’s better to drive a burning vehicle out of a tunnel. If you can’t do this, pull over, switch off the engine, use hazard warning lights and phone immediately for help. It may be possible to put out a small fire but if it seems large do NOT tackle it!" It feels right to me that the first choice would be to keep going if practical/safe to do so. As has been said, how far to the end, traffic density, speed of travel, what type and extent of fire etc are all part of that judgement are they not? Is there actually a one size fits all answer; is it always best to stop get out etc? I can think of one or two tunnels on the M25 where I would never want to stop unless there was really no option! That said I think the purpose of the question is simply to check that trainees can recognise the definite no brainers like reversing or turning round.

I would press the button on the dashboard and out would pop an extinguisher and which would self operate and put out the fire. Following on from that I would accelerate to 200mph and catch the bad guy in front. Following on from that I would turn to the screen and say "The names Bond, James Bond". :-) Regards

Correct.

Aye, Birkenhead tunnel is similar but more so the natives of Wirral don't get frightened by daylight ;) (awaits comment from Mr 101 :P)