Tunnels, Security & Emergencies

Why are some road tunnels marked with restrictions for vehicles carrying dangerous goods?

• ATunnels are always too low for a dangerous goods vehicle
• BThe vehicle's hazard plates are not visible inside a tunnel
• CAn incident in the confined space of a tunnel could have severe consequences✓
• DDangerous goods vehicles are simply far too heavy to be allowed through any road tunnel

Answer: Tunnels are enclosed spaces where a fire, explosion or toxic release would be far more dangerous, so certain loads are restricted from certain tunnel categories. The reason is the severity of a confined-space incident, not height, plate visibility or weight alone.

What should a driver do when a tunnel restriction applies to the dangerous goods they are carrying?

• AEnter the tunnel as normal but switch off and cover over the hazard plates beforehand
• BEnter the tunnel only if there is no other traffic already inside it
• CEnter the tunnel provided the vehicle keeps to a low speed
• DNot enter that tunnel and follow the signed alternative route✓

Answer: If the load is restricted from a tunnel category, the vehicle must not use that tunnel and should take the designated alternative route. Covering plates, waiting for clear traffic or driving slowly do not make a prohibited passage permitted.

What is the purpose of security awareness for drivers carrying dangerous goods?

• ATo reduce the risk of the goods being stolen or misused for harm✓
• BTo make absolutely sure that the driver never exceeds the permitted tachograph hours
• CTo ensure the vehicle is washed regularly between journeys
• DTo help the driver find the fastest route to the destination

Answer: Security provisions aim to prevent dangerous goods from being stolen or diverted for malicious use, which is why some loads need a security plan and drivers receive security awareness training. It is not about hours, cleaning or routing.

A reasonable security precaution when leaving a vehicle loaded with dangerous goods is to do what?

• ALeave the keys in the ignition so it can be moved quickly
• BPark it in the least visible spot available and leave it unlocked
• CRemove the hazard plates so it does not attract attention
• DImmobilise and secure the vehicle and not leave it unattended unnecessarily✓

Answer: You should secure and immobilise the vehicle and avoid leaving it unattended where reasonably practicable, keeping it safe from theft or interference. Leaving keys in, parking it unlocked, or removing required plates all weaken security or break the rules.

In a serious incident, what information is most useful to give the emergency services on arrival?

• AThe estimated retail value of the load being carried and its insurance details
• BWhat dangerous goods are on board, using the transport document and instructions in writing✓
• CThe driver's planned break and rest times, covering the remainder of the working day
• DThe name and address of the depot that the vehicle originally set out from

Answer: Telling responders what dangerous goods are present, from the transport document and instructions in writing, lets them protect themselves and the public and choose the right response. Load value, break times and depot name are not the safety-critical information.

If a fire starts near the load and it is not safe to tackle it, what should the driver do?

• AOpen up the load compartment straight away to let the built-up heat escape out
• BDrive the burning vehicle to the nearest fire station
• CThrow water onto the burning substance, regardless of its class or hazard label
• DMove people away, warn others and call the emergency services✓

Answer: Where a fire cannot be tackled safely, the priority is to get people clear, warn others and call the emergency services with the load details. Opening up the load, driving a burning vehicle, or applying water to unknown substances can make things far worse.

The vehicle's fire extinguishers are provided mainly to deal with what?

• AAny size of fire involving the full dangerous goods load
• BCooling the load during hot weather, such as a summer heatwave
• CCleaning up a liquid spillage from a damaged package
• DA small fire, such as one starting in the engine or a tyre, if it is safe to act✓

Answer: The required fire extinguishers are intended for tackling a small fire, for example in the cab, engine or a tyre, before it can spread, and only if it is safe to do so. They are not for a fully developed load fire, cooling cargo or clearing spills.

ADR tunnels are placed in categories A to E. Which is the most restrictive?

• ACategory C
• BCategory A
• CCategory E✓
• DCategory B

Answer: Category A tunnels have no restrictions for dangerous goods, and restrictions increase through to category E, where almost all dangerous goods are prohibited.

What restriction applies to dangerous goods in a category A tunnel?

• AOnly Class 1 and Class 7 goods are allowed
• BOnly packages under 20 kg are allowed
• CNone of the ADR tunnel restrictions apply✓
• DAll dangerous goods are banned at all times

Answer: Category A is the least restrictive category: no ADR tunnel restrictions apply to the carriage of dangerous goods.

Where is the tunnel restriction code for a load shown?

• AOn a placard fixed to the front of the vehicle
• BOn the driver's ADR training certificate
• COn the lower half of the orange plates at the front and rear of the vehicle
• DIn brackets in the dangerous goods transport document✓

Answer: The tunnel restriction code is shown in capital letters in brackets in the transport document, for example (D/E), after the other entries for the goods.

Packaged goods have tunnel restriction code (D/E). Through which tunnel category is their passage prohibited?

• ACategory D only
• BCategories B to E
• CCategory E✓
• DCategories D and E

Answer: For code D/E, carriage in tanks is prohibited through tunnels of categories D and E, while other carriage, such as in packages, is prohibited only through category E tunnels.

A load has tunnel restriction code (B). Through which tunnel categories is its passage prohibited?

• ACategories B, C, D and E✓
• BCategory B only
• CCategories A and B
• DCategory E only

Answer: Code B means passage is prohibited through tunnels of categories B, C, D and E. Only category A tunnels may be used.

How does a driver know the category of a road tunnel?

• AFrom asking the police at the tunnel entrance
• BFrom the tunnel's name on the driver's route map
• CFrom road signs showing the category letter✓
• DFrom the colour of the lights inside the tunnel

Answer: Tunnel categories are shown by road signs with a supplementary plate giving the category letter, and diversion routes are signed for vehicles that may not use the tunnel.

What must be in place for carriage of high consequence dangerous goods?

• AA police escort
• BA security plan✓
• CA second vehicle
• DA satellite phone

Answer: ADR requires carriers, consignors and others involved with high consequence dangerous goods, which could be misused in a terrorist attack, to adopt and implement a security plan.

Under ADR, which staff need security awareness training?

• AOffice staff who book the loads, rather than the drivers
• BCompany directors, rather than the drivers or loading staff
• COnly staff who work at the loading depot
• DAll personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods✓

Answer: ADR requires the training of all personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods to include security awareness, covering the nature of security risks and what to do about them.

A load requires supervision when parked. Which of these is an acceptable place to leave the vehicle?

• AA lay-by on a busy main road
• BA supermarket car park at night
• CA quiet residential street overnight
• DA secure depot or factory premises✓

Answer: Where supervision is required, vehicles must be supervised or parked in a secure depot or factory premises, or in other places ADR allows, such as a supervised vehicle park, away from the public.

You notice someone showing suspicious interest in your dangerous goods load. What should you do?

• ATell them what the load is to reassure them
• BReport it to the police and your employer✓
• CLeave the vehicle and go to find the person
• DIgnore it, as long as the doors are locked

Answer: Security awareness means reporting suspicious behaviour to the police and following your company's security procedures.

After an accident with dangerous goods, what do the instructions in writing tell the driver to do with the vehicle first?

• ADrive to the nearest garage to get the damage checked
• BApply the brakes, stop the engine and isolate the battery✓
• COpen the load doors so that fumes can escape quickly
• DKeep the engine running so that help can find the vehicle

Answer: The instructions in writing tell the crew to apply the braking system, stop the engine and isolate the battery using the master switch where available.

At the scene of an incident with dangerous goods, what must the crew avoid?

• AInforming the emergency services about the load
• BIgnition sources, such as smoking or electrics✓
• CWearing the warning vest supplied with the vehicle
• DPlacing the self-standing warning signs on the road

Answer: The instructions in writing tell the crew to avoid sources of ignition, in particular not to smoke, use electronic cigarettes or switch on any electrical equipment.

What should the crew put on before placing the warning signs after an incident?

• AThe warning vest✓
• BWaterproof boots
• CThe escape mask
• DA hard hat

Answer: The instructions in writing tell the crew to put on the warning vest and place the self-standing warning signs as appropriate.

How should you move around a spill of dangerous goods after an incident?

• AKeep out of it and stay upwind✓
• BWalk through it quickly to reach the cab
• CCover it with your jacket to soak it up
• DWash it away with water from a hose

Answer: The instructions in writing tell the crew not to walk into or touch spilled substances, to avoid inhaling fumes, smoke, dust and vapours by staying upwind.

A tyre on your dangerous goods vehicle catches fire. What do the instructions in writing say?

• APour water over the load to stop the fire spreading to it
• BDrive on to the next motorway services, then deal with the burning tyre
• CTackle a fire in the load compartment first, then the tyre
• DUse the extinguishers on small tyre, brake or engine fires, if safe✓

Answer: The crew may use extinguishers to put out small fires in tyres, brakes and engine compartments where it is safe, but must not tackle fires in load compartments.

What should the crew do to stop spilled dangerous goods entering the environment, if it is safe?

• AWait until the emergency services arrive before doing anything
• BHose the spill into the nearest drain to dilute it quickly
• CMove the vehicle away so the spill can soak into the ground
• DUse on-board kit to stop leaks reaching drains or water✓

Answer: Where it is safe, the crew should use the on-board equipment, such as the drain seal and collecting container, to prevent leakages entering the aquatic environment or the sewage system.

If an incident is getting worse and it is not safe to act, what should the crew do?

• AMove away, warn others and follow the emergency services✓
• BTry to drive the vehicle away from the scene to reduce the danger
• CStay by the vehicle to guard the load until the fire service arrives
• DReturn to the cab to collect personal belongings before leaving

Answer: The instructions in writing tell the crew to move away from the vicinity of the incident, advise others to move away and follow the advice of the emergency services.

After an incident, what do the instructions in writing say about contaminated clothing and protective equipment?

• ARemove it after use and dispose of it safely✓
• BKeep wearing it until you get home that evening
• CWash it in the nearest stream to clean it quickly
• DPut it back in the cab ready to use again

Answer: The crew should remove contaminated clothing and used contaminated protective equipment and dispose of it safely.

When calling the emergency services after a dangerous goods incident, what should you give them?

• AYour name and the registration number of the vehicle
• BThe location, as the goods will be identified later
• CThe name and address of your employer, but not the details of the load
• DAs much information as possible about the incident and the goods✓

Answer: The instructions in writing tell the crew to inform the emergency services, giving as much information as possible about the incident or accident and the substances involved.