Fires in tunnels
If there's a fire in a tunnel
- If you can, drive until you've exited the tunnel
- If that's not possible, stop your vehicle in the left hand lane
- As a last resort try to pull over to the side of the lane
- Turn on your hazard lights and switch off your engine
- Check for oncoming traffic and when safe exit your vehicle, or exit from the passenger side and move to a cross passage door
- Use one of the emergency phones along the tunnel wall to call for help
- If in doubt about your safety, leave the tunnel via the nearest exit
Overhead sprinkler system
The Clem 7, Legacy Way and AirportM7 tunnels in Queensland, the Lane Cove Tunnel, Hills M2 Norfolk tunnel, Eastern Distributor, Cross City Tunnel, NorthConnex, WestConnex and M5 tunnels in NSW, and the Citylink Burnley Tunnel in VIC, all have overhead sprinkler systems to help put out fires.
Warnings and smoke
If you're approaching a tunnel and are warned of a fire or see smoke:
- Do not enter the tunnel
- stop outside tunnel and wait for instructions from tunnel personnel, emergency services or police
- turn on your radio and listen for instructions from our team. This can also be broadcast from a tunnel public address system.
How to evacuate
- If you're asked to evacuate, first turn off your vehicle's engine and leave the keys in the ignition
- If you need assistance, put your hazard lights on and call for help
- Move away from the smoke or fire and leave via the nearest exit or cross passage. The passage way will be illuminated.
- It's very important that you don't stay in your vehicle once instructed to evacuate.