Useful advice - A4 InViaggio

have your tyre dealer check your tyres (wear, pressure, etc.) and visit your mechanic to check the engine (oil level, belts, lights, etc.);
spread weight out evenly in the vehicle in order to optimise its performance when braking and cornering;
avoid leaving during the hottest hours of the day or late at night and, in any case, never set off after a large meal;
call the Motorway Management companies in charge of the stretches that you will be travelling on in order to get information on traffic and weather conditions;
get informed with your insurance company as to whether you are covered if a garage has to remove and tow your vehicle should it break down or be involved in an accident.

check the overhead electronic panels at the entry barriers for any messages to drivers;
to collect your ticket, use normal or dual lanes that allow for all vehicles to pass through regardless how they will be paying for the toll when exiting the motorway (dedicated Telepass lanes, on the other hand, must only be used by Telepass holders). The speed limit of 30 km/h must not be exceeded in the entry lanes.

check the variable message signs for information on upcoming stretches of motorway;
keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front;
respect speed limits;
always wear a seatbelt;
avoid consuming alcohol;
tune into a radio station that provides traffic updates and weather reports;
plan your breaks (at least one every two hours), especially during long journeys. This allows your vehicle to “rest” and you can also check how tired you are.

If you are directly involved:

you must wear a fluorescent vest;
as long as no-one is injured and to the extent possible, move the vehicles to a safe position (hard shoulder or lay-by). Otherwise, immediately get away from the vehicle and stand behind a guardrail (beware of steep slopes); position the warning triangle at least 100 metres away and turn on the vehicle's hazard lights;
use an SOS station or telephone to contact the emergency services.

If you are not directly involved but you come across an accident:

do not use the hard shoulder unless you are 500 m before an exit;
drive along respecting the limits put in place using warning signs and avoid slowing down to “have a look”.

if, for safety reasons, you have to stop on the hard shoulder, you should only do so for the amount of time that is strictly necessary to deal with the emergency;
in any case, always park the vehicle as close as possible to the verge;
you must wear a fluorescent vest if you stop on the hard shoulder;
place the mobile warning sign (triangle) at least 100 metres away from the vehicle and keep your sidelights on at night or if there is low visibility;
get out of the vehicle and walk to the first lay-by where you should wait for help to arrive.

USING AN SOS STATION

(To reach the nearest station, follow the horizontal arrows on the hard shoulder >>>>>)
For breakdown assistance, press the green button
An operator from the Operations Centre will reply over speakerphone and you must provide the following information:

type of vehicle (car or lorry);
vehicle number plate;
type of breakdown;
position of the vehicle.

If you require medical assistance, press the red button

An operator from the Operations Centre will reply over speakerphone and you must provide the following information:

type of request (accident or sudden illness);
seriousness and number of people involved (if possible).

USING A MOBILE PHONE

Please provide the operator from the Operations Centre with the following information:

exact position (or stretch of motorway), direction or any other references (various markers, illuminated signs, etc.);
how many vehicles are involved, the number of people injured and how seriously;
if there is any spillage of fuel or toxic substances;
position of the vehicles (on or off the road).

BEFORE THE TUNNEL

Slow down;
Check that the dipped headlights are on;
Remove the sunglasses;
Do not stop in the lay-by near the tunnel unless in an absolute emergency;
Pay attention to the luminous warning signs, positioned at the top of the tunnel entrance, useful to indicate, in the event of an accident or the presence of material on the carriageway, the correct use of the lanes (Green arrow = passable lane, Red cross = Lane not accessible);

IN THE TUNNEL

Maintain a greater safety distance from the vehicle in front;
Do not exceed speed limits;
Never make a U-turn

IN CASE OF LINES

Always maintain an adequate safety distance from the vehicle in front;
Activate the hazard warning lights;
Switch off the engine in the event of a prolonged queue without getting out of the vehicle;

IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT

Activate the hazard warning lights;
If the vehicle conditions allow it, take it out of the tunnel; alternatively, leave it on the right side of the roadway;
Turn off the engine;
In these cases, always wear a high-visibility vest and position the emergency triangle at a distance of at least 100 meters, paying attention to oncoming vehicles;
If involved: notify the emergency services using the nearest SOS post and wait for directions;
If not directly involved: continue and notify the emergency services (113; or call the Autostrada Brescia - Padova Highway Traffic Operations Center: 045 8672200/045 8672201);

IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR PRESENCE OF SMOKE

Activate the hazard warning lights;
If the principle of fire affects your vehicle, if possible take it out of the tunnel; alternatively, leave it on the right side of the roadway;
Turn off the engine;
Get away from your vehicle as quickly as possible;
Leave the tunnel using the sidewalk and following the emergency luminous signs to the nearest emergency exits;
Activate the fire alarm located at the nearest SOS column and wait for directions.

before setting off, contact the Operations Centre of the motorway management company to get information on the stretches of motorway affected, the relative visibility and, therefore, how to act accordingly;
before entering the motorway, check the variable message signs above the entry barriers which provide information on visibility and the stretches of motorway affected;
while driving on the motorway, remember that the maximum speed limit allowed is 50 km/h in case of fog and you are reminded to always keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you. Always use indicators when changing lanes;
stay focused on your driving and avoid any form of distraction;
in case of thick fog, it is recommended to avoid travelling unless you absolutely have to.

identify the number of the overpass involved in the act of vandalism by looking at the panels installed before and after the overpass itself;
report the number of the overpass to the traffic police, along with any other information that may help to identify the culprits.

Move into the right-hand lane, slow down so that you can reach the limit of 40 km/h at the entrance to the deceleration lane. When approaching the tollbooth area, identify the lane that you need depending on how you intend to pay for the toll. More precisely:

standard lane for payment in cash;
Telepass lane for users of this service;
Viacard - Fast-Pay lane for those in possession of a Viacard, credit card or debit card;
Self-service lane to pay in cash or with a Viacard, credit card or debit card.

when making or receiving phone calls, if the vehicle doesn’t have a speakerphone, then drivers should always use a hands-free kit or, alternatively, pull over in a lay-by;
the first right-hand lane available should always be used in order to allow traffic to flow better. The central lane and overtaking lane should only be used to overtake another vehicle.