Autostrade Alto Adriatico
The Motorway Safety
The Motorway Safety
Autostrade Alto Adriatico invests enormous resources in safety. (Società per la sicurezza)
An extensive maintenance work, the use of construction material of the latest generation and new investments in technology, all these elements make a decisive contribution in maintaining the motorway network under the high security conditions.
The constant increase in traffic and the need in improving safety have led Autostrade Alto Adriatico to set up an agreement with other operators, like the Police and road haulage Companies, that were interested in road safety in order to identify the most effective measures to be adopted in main areas such as user information, measures to improve traffic conditions and new investments in technology.
This agreement resulted in drawing up the Motorway Safety Plan (M.S.P.), consisting of various actions to be undertaken that are all part of the Company's investment plan, according to the highway code and the road rules.
For mechanical or medical emergencies use the SOS boxes or call the number 0432 925 111 which will put you through to the Highway Operation Main Service.
When you make a long trip:
An extensive maintenance work, the use of construction material of the latest generation and new investments in technology, all these elements make a decisive contribution in maintaining the motorway network under the high security conditions.
The constant increase in traffic and the need in improving safety have led Autostrade Alto Adriatico to set up an agreement with other operators, like the Police and road haulage Companies, that were interested in road safety in order to identify the most effective measures to be adopted in main areas such as user information, measures to improve traffic conditions and new investments in technology.
This agreement resulted in drawing up the Motorway Safety Plan (M.S.P.), consisting of various actions to be undertaken that are all part of the Company's investment plan, according to the highway code and the road rules.
For mechanical or medical emergencies use the SOS boxes or call the number 0432 925 111 which will put you through to the Highway Operation Main Service.
When you make a long trip:
- make sure that the car is well maintained, has sufficient fuel and oil, has correct tyre pressure and tyres are in a good conditions;
- take a regular break at service area but never on the hard shoulder. If you feel sleepy, get off the motorway at the first opportunity and take a rest;
- never drive while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess of alcohol; alcohol effects judgement and abilities giving a false sense of confidence, reducing coordination, slowing down reactions and reducing driving ability;
- observe the speed limit and always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you;
- on wet, slippery roads or poor visibility leave at least a four seconds gap;
- remember that concentration and frequent use of mirrors are doubly important on motorways because of higher traffic volumes;
- take extra care when approaching intersections where traffic is joined the motorway;
- stay on the right hand carriageway as much as possible and obey motorway signals, these may warn of dangers ahead, for example accidents, broken downs vehicles, poor weather conditions, flooding, slippery road surface;
- take particular care of roadworks and when approaching them. Reduce speed limit and obey warning signs have been up.
Drivers must drive at a speed that will allow them to stop well within the distance they can see to be clear. It is important:
- to leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safety if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall
- stopping distance;
- to allow at least a two‐second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying fast traffic. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads;
- remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop.
The distance must be adapted at the:
- speed;
- driver ability;
- good efficiency of the vehicle (tyre pressure and brakes in a proper conditions);
- good road holding.
Braking Distance
The braking distance is the distance that all vehicles are expected to maintain from the one ahead, in order to stop, if required, without running into its back.
When determining braking distance several factors should be taken into account: the alertness of the driver; the vehicle's type and efficiency; speed; visibility and weather conditions; traffic; the slope of the road and the load on the vehicle.
In theory, calculating the right braking distance would refer only to the distance covered in one second, that is to say in the time generally needed to decide whether the stop lights flashing on the vehicle ahead require you to brake and to act accordingly, considering that the vehicle ahead has the same braking distance as the vehicle behind. What is the correct braking distance?
As speed doubles, braking space quadruples, therefore it would be wise to always keep the following braking distances (also when starting to overtake, that is when you pull out of the slipstream of the car ahead):
| Km/h | Minimum braking distance in meter | Corresponding to |
| 50 | 25 | length of two bus |
| 90 | 40 | more than two articulated lorries |
| 130 | 130 | a soccer field |
If the brakes are not perfectly efficient, the tires are worn out, or the vehicle is heavily loaded, the
braking space increases considerably and you will need to increase it at least by half to drive
safely.
These values do not apply in case of fog, when other considerations come into play.
braking space increases considerably and you will need to increase it at least by half to drive
safely.
These values do not apply in case of fog, when other considerations come into play.
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Increased traffic
High traffic
Very high traffic
