British travellers, including those with insurance for young drivers, have been advised to exercise caution when approaching and driving through extended tunnels.
An organisation who count cheap car insurance among their range of offerings have said that motorists should make use of their dipped headlights, keep to reasonable speeds and take account of other drivers when making their way through underground passageways.
Drivers who are keen on ensuring maximum levels of safety should keep their vehicles topped up with enough fuel to travel through tunnels, and take note of the locations of emergency pedestrian exits, in case of breakdowns.
People should take particular care when journeying through tunnels such as Mont Blanc and Gotthard, within which many Europeans have died in fires.
A leading motoring expert said, "Motorists heading for Europe this summer are likely to use a road tunnel. Remember, if there is a fire or an accident, don't wait to act – fire and smoke can be fatal. Leave the vehicle and walk to a safe place."
Motorists have also been urged to find out whether their insurance for young drivers includes comprehensive cover for trips abroad. A driving expert recently said that the majority of policies only provide travellers with third party cover.