One of the greatest pleasures for any motorbike enthusiast is taking to the open roads of the English countryside on your prized possession. However, with the number of accidents involving motorbikes increasing, road safety has become a paramount issue.
Many accidents are caused by careless driving and speed, but there are other less common causes which motorcyclists and car drivers need to be aware of.
Diesel spills account for hundreds of motorcycle accidents every year, and are a significant danger. Unfortunately, they are becoming more common in rural areas as commercial vehicles take alternative routes through narrow country lanes to avoid the congestion on main roads and motorways. As the majority of spills tend to be found on sharp bends, this a particular worry in winding country lanes.
Diesel is a particularly dangerous substance as it is difficult to detect on the roads, rather like black ice. Rainfall makes the problem worse as the diesel floats to the surface causing cars and bikes to lose control. Diesel can remain on the road surface for several weeks, often only reappearing following rainfall.
According to the Department of Transport, a motorcyclist is almost twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious collision as a result of diesel on the road compared to ice, and almost three times as likely to be involved in a serious or fatal accident as a result of diesel rather than mud on the road.
A government lobbying body called Kill Spills has been set up to highlight the dangers of diesel spills and is campaigning to reduce the amount of diesel spilt on the roads each year. They are trying to increase motorcyclists’ and commercial vehicle drivers’ awareness of these dangers through rallies, petitions and lobbying for changes in the law to ensure that all commercial vehicles are fitted with anti-spilling devices in their fuel caps.
The vast majority of diesel spills could be avoided if motorists adopted some simple preventative measures. Here’s how you can help:
- Do not over fill your tank with diesel
- Ensure your fuel tank cap is securely fixed
- If you notice a diesel spill, report it immediately to the local Police and insist that they telephone the council to cleanse the road
View an article on Diesel Spills (PDF) that was published by the Solicitors Journal.
