Motorway infrastructure is an essential part of the mobility and transport system for goods and people, both nationally and internationally. To ensure the safety and efficiency of the system, service appurtenances must be operated following strict safety regulations and practices. Service appurtenances include: rest areas, fuel dispensers, petrol stations, refreshment areas and motorway stations.

The safety of motorway infrastructures is regulated by European and national regulations and provisions that establish the technical characteristics of the infrastructure itself and the way services are provided. Some of the main aspects concern:

• Road safety regulations: motorways are designed to minimise safety risks to vehicles and pedestrians by ensuring good visibility, adequate signage and protective structures. Motorway stations are equipped with automatic and manual payment systems to ensure a continuous flow of traffic and reduce the risk of accidents;
• Regulations for petrol stations: petrol stations comply with safety regulations related to the management of fuel and electrical installations, as well as ensuring proper maintenance and training of personnel. Refreshment areas and rest areas comply with hygiene and health regulations, by including adequate waste collection facilities, and guarantee the safety of the facilities in the event of emergencies (evacuations, fires, etc.);
• Infrastructure monitoring and oversight: motorways and service appurtenances are constantly monitored for any structural anomalies, such as cracks, subsidence or deterioration. Regular inspections and maintenance operations are necessary to preserve safety standards. In addition, constant checks are carried out through video surveillance systems, dynamic remote monitoring of structures and on-site technical inspections;
• Traffic safety and communications to users: the service appurtenances are designed to ensure smooth traffic management, avoiding congestion and the risk of accidents. Horizontal and vertical signs must be clear and visible, with specific provisions for the safe parking of vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles. The rest areas are equipped with night lighting systems, video surveillance and security devices to prevent vandalism or unlawful behaviour. The surveillance of the entire concession network is guaranteed 24 hours a day through two forms of monitoring: one directly on the road, through the patrolling of the Motorway Patrol and Traffic Safety Operators, and one remotely, through the use of a dense network of 345 cameras installed along the infrastructure, available to the Operations Centre staff. In particular, the presence of 'dome' type cameras guarantees excellent coverage along all motorway areas.

The communication to users occurs through 103 variable message signs installed along the concession network and on the access points to the infrastructure. These systems help to increase safety and improve communication by providing real-time information on road conditions, roadworks and any critical situations.

Conditions for safe use:

Traffic management in service areas: service areas must be designed in such a way as to clearly separate refuelling areas from refreshment and rest areas. This reduces the risk of accidents due to heavy goods vehicle traffic and light vehicle flows. Rest areas must have a sufficient number of parking spaces, taking into account the type of vehicles parked there, including commercial vehicles, cars and heavy goods vehicles.

Safety for users: in the event of an emergency, facilities must be equipped with emergency exit routes and evacuation signs. In addition, there must be safe routes for pedestrians that are separated from vehicle transit areas. Toilets, refreshment areas and other facilities must be regularly cleaned and maintained in optimum condition to ensure hygiene and prevent health hazards.

Maintenance and oversight: regular checks must be carried out on all infrastructure, including paving, traffic signs, lighting and parking areas. Preventive maintenance is essential to avoid sudden failures that may jeopardise the safety of users. In addition, any maintenance or repair work must be carefully planned, minimising inconvenience to users and preventing possible dangers from ongoing work. To this end, CAV S.p.A. provides for the timely scheduling of roadworks with the greatest impact on vehicle traffic, concentrating them at night or when there is lower traffic intensity.

The conditions for the safe use of motorway infrastructure and related service appurtenances depend primarily on compliance with safety regulations and proper traffic and facility management. Only through constant monitoring, proper maintenance and efficient organisation of services can a safe environment for users and operators be guaranteed. All those involved, from the competent authorities to the service operators, must work together to maintain safety standards to minimise risks and ensure smooth and safe mobility.

Finally, users must also do their part and, in compliance with the rules of the Traffic Code, drive responsibly and prudently.

BEFORE LEAVING: CHECKING ONE'S OWN VEHICLE AND LOAD

Checking tyre wear and pressure.
The correct pressure must be within the threshold values indicated in the car manufacturer's owner's manual. Caution: the measurement must be made with cool tyres.

If you are travelling with trailers or caravans, you should check the tyres of the hauled vehicles as well. You should also carry out the same checks on the spare tyre: it must be ready in case a puncture occurs during the journey.

With tyres at the right pressure you reduce the risk of blowouts, improve grip and braking on wet surfaces, reduce fuel consumption and increase tyre life.

Turn signals and headlights must be clean (a dirty headlight is 50% less effective), the vehicle windows must be clean too, especially the windscreen, to ensure good visibility.

Check fuel, engine oil, coolant and washer fluid levels.

The load must be properly positioned without imbalances, and visibility from the driver's rear-view mirror must be ensured. Any storage gates or bicycle gates must also be properly anchored as specified by the manufacturers.

Please note that children must be seated in approved child seats and that animals, especially large animals, must be kept in specially anchored cages located in the luggage compartment.

It is certainly useful to take and keep some water on hand to use in the event of queues or prolonged stops, especially in summer and with high temperatures.

DURING THE JOURNEY:

DRIVING BEHAVIOUR

Before getting behind the wheel, make sure you feel well and, especially if the journey is long, make sure you are well rested when you set off, avoid heavy meals and alcohol. Also check in advance and stay up-to-date on traffic conditions along your route.

Please note:

- there is a ban on the use of mobile phones and other mobile devices to avoid dangerous distractions;

- respect the safety distance: you must be able to stop your vehicle without rear ending the vehicle in front of you; Remember that a fully laden vehicle or one with a hauled vehicle has longer stopping distances.

- In the event of rain, the speed limit on the motorway is 110 km/h. If the weather condition is extreme (rain bomb), slow down gradually in any case and turn on the hazard warning lights; parking in the traffic lanes, let alone in the emergency lane at buildings, is not permitted under any circumstances;

- In foggy weather, and with visibility levels of less than 100 metres, travel at a speed of less than 50 km/h and keep as steady a pace as possible by avoiding abrupt braking and making proper use of fog lights while avoiding dazzling vehicles behind or in front of you.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

Users involved in an accident must wear a high-visibility vest and help any injured persons. Vehicles should be signalled by using the warning triangle and emergency lights, at night by keeping the lights on. The users involved in the accident should move to safety away from vehicles, if possible behind safety barriers, and call for help.

If the accident has only led to property damage, drivers must move their vehicles as quickly as possible, without obstructing traffic and making themselves and passing traffic safer by avoiding the risk of causing further accidents.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY STOP AND/OR STALLED VEHICLE

In the event of an emergency, you should stop the car in a safe location, if possible, off the roadway, in lay-bys by indicating the presence of the vehicle with a warning triangle and making it visible in any case. After activating the mechanical rescue service, the people occupying the space should stand safely behind the safety barriers if possible.