Over fill can Kill!

Ok as the title suggests,
Now this is an age old hazard for vehicles especially for those on two two wheels, many motorcycling organisations have brought awareness that over filled tanks and poorly secured/not fitted fuel caps can impact on our roads but the message just does not seem to be getting through? The government funded a campaign in 2007? And as a result there have been some heavy fines for companies that have offended.
With winter coming and many motorbikes out on our network of roads it's a good time to remind us how these can effect us.

How many times have you noticed a spill of fuel on a road?
Did you report it? Don't know who to report it to perhaps?
Don't ever think someone else has already done it!
Don't leave it o chance report it to the police, in turn they will contact the local highways team that look after that stretch of road. As soon as it's logged with the police it then becomes the responsibility of the local highways any accidents that may be caused through it!
People who have fallen victim to fuel spills involved in accidents now have the law on their side, providing fuel spills can be confirmed it was a contributing factor to an accident compensation for the rider can now be found.

Now, before we get our teeth into this one and start ripping the arse off LGV/coach drivers, look at everyone, anyone that uses fuel oil can be an offender.
Please discuss and add as you see fit.
Cheers folks

 

I had a life affirming moment once in my 205 GTi on the bypass to my village where a dairy farm has it's entrance right next to a petrol station which has a fuel oil depot butted up to the other side. I shit you not. Look up Sannerville way, Exminster on google earth and check out the end of the road at matford roundabout.

It was dark, wet and full of rush hour traffic and I swear I just dabbed the brakes and the car instantly flipped 90 degrees to the direction of travel. No warning, no feedback, nothing.

Now fair's fair I spent five years in competition rallying so I'm used to the road giving me clues about limits of traction but the combination of cowshit, diesel, fuel oil and rain completely ambushed me and one of the best handling road cars I've ever owned.

Now comes the point (remember that). This whole adventure happened about 12 or 13 years ago and absolutely nothing's changed. That 200 yard stretch of road is still a skating rink in the wet.

So I think I might have a word with the feds.

 

Even better.

I've just street viewed that bit of road in google earth and the wanker farmer is actually driving his tractor along the pedestrian walkway towards the filling station and google haven't blanked his reg.

 

Yes, VOSA are really getting on the case of LGV's and coaches, from driving regs to defects on vehicles, not all, but most defects carry a fine and endorsement on a licence and if caught the company is open to prosecution As is the driver, if a driver has a missing or Ill fitting cap regardless of spilling any fuel he is liable to fines up to £5000 and 6 points on their licence, the company will also be standing next to the guilty party in the dock as they failed to over see that the driver was doing their duty.
More information to follow soon.

 

I found this link, it's actually based for Devon but there are plenty more to be found, MAG got funding for 20,000 stickers from the government maybe it's time to see what our local authorities will contribute in these hard up times, worth a try I would guess?

Spiller Killer