Road-tunnel fires: Risk perception and management strategies among users

The present study was aimed at investigating road users’ perceptions and behaviors in case of a fire in a tunnel. It is grounded on the idea that in order to effectively prevent accidents and fires in tunnels, it may be useful to take tunnel users’ beliefs, representations, and coping strategies into account Kouabenan, D.R., 1998. Beliefs and the perception of risks and accidents. Risk Analysis, an International Journal 18, 243–252; Kouabenan, D.R., 2001. Management de la sécurité: rôle des croyances et des perceptions. In : Lévy-Léboyer, C., Huteau, M., Louche, C., Rolland, J.P. (Eds.), RH: Les apports de la psychologie du travail. Les Editions d’Organisation, Paris, pp. 453–474; Kouabenan, D.R., Cadet, B., 2005. Risk evaluation and accident analysis. Advances in Psychology Research 36, 61–80; Kouabenan, D.R., Dubois, M., Scarnato, F., De Gaudemaris, R., Mallaret, M.R., 2007. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Risk Perception by Healthcare Personnel in a Public Hospital. Social Behavior and Personality, 35, 1] One hundred and fifty-one road users (firemen, truck drivers, regular drivers, and driving-school students) filled out a questionnaire measuring their perceptions of risks and control in road tunnels, their awareness of safety and rescue devices, their level of anxiety, and their behavioral intentions in the event of a fire in a road tunnel. The results indicated a relationship between fire-risk perception, awareness of rescue and safety devices, and road-tunnel experience; a tendency toward comparative optimism (CO); an effect of perceived control on optimism; and a relationship between CO and awareness of safety devices. A significant interaction was found between tunnel users’ anxiety level and their perceived control over the situation. The evacuation behaviors and coping strategies reported by the participants were far from reflecting the expected behaviors. Recommendations for a long-term prevention policy bearing jointly on beliefs, behaviors, improved information and warning systems are suggested.