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Devon Diesel Spills
Diesel spills on Devon's roads are causing motorcyclists to be involved in potentially fatal skids and crashes, according to a recent survey
conducted by Devon County Council's Road Safety Team.
Last year, in response to the high motorcycle injury rate in the area, Devon County Council launched the Bringing
Bikers Out Of The Blindspot campaign. The initiative aims to reduce the numbers of motorcyclists being killed and injured on Devon's roads, and improve facilities for riders.
The first stage of the campaign was to gather the views of riders to determine what they felt were the key issues. Diesel spills have been highlighted as a major concern
by bikers, who gave numerous accounts of how spills have led to them skidding and crashing. Diesel left on the highway by HGVs, buses, coaches, tractors and cars causes a slippery
surface that is dangerous to all road users and potentially lethal to motorcyclists.
Government statistics show that motorcyclists are twice as likely to suffer injuries
from collisions as a result of diesels spills than as a result of snow and ice. Devon County Council's Road Safety Team is launching a new campaign called
'Spiller Killer'. The initiative aims to:
•Raise the awareness of the problem and the potential dangers to road users.
•Encourage the reporting of diesel spills so that the local
authority can take quick remedial action.
•Educate haulage companies, drivers, farmers, bus companies and petrol filling stations about the problems caused by
overfilling, poorly fitted fuel caps and badly maintained vehicles which can all lead to diesel spillage.
Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, Councillor David Morrish, said: "The results from our motorcycle consultation have given us
a good indication of where we need to improve safety for bikers. Crashes involving motorcyclists who have lost control after skidding on a spill are unnecessary and with just a
little care, are wholly avoidable. This campaign can help prevent these problems."
As well this local initiative, the problem of diesel spills on the highway is being
tackled at a national level. KillSpills, a national campaigning organisation, have been lobbying central government to change the legislation on this issue.
KillSpills
co-ordinator, Stephen Edwards, said: "Diesel spills are increasing at an alarming rate and as a result, ALL road users' lives are in unnecessary danger. It is difficult
to believe that in this advanced world diesel is still so easily allowed to spew over our roads. The technology exists for anti-spill caps but the cost to fit them to an existing
commercial fleet is often considered too expensive. Devon County Council should be congratulated for leading by example and bringing this important issue to the attention of the
general public. Hopefully other responsible Local Authorities will do the same."
www.killspills.org.uk Devon County Council
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