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Kill spills, not bikers
Page 19
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CM's new column brings you alternative views from figures outside the road transport industry. This week Jeff Stone of the British Motorcyclists Federation explains the potentially fatal hazard that diesel spills represent to those on two wheels.
Diesel, the lifeblood of Britain's road transport industry, can be a menace to motorcyclists not when it's being consumed, but when its spilt from tanks.
According to Department for Transport figures, there were 467 serious accidents between 2000 and 2004 as a result of oil or diesel spillage, with 16 people dying. There were a further 2,403 accidents resulting in slight injuries. But it is well known that if another vehicle is not involved and injuries are slight an accident often goes unreported, masking what is estimated to be a much bigger problem.
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has successfully lobbied for amendments to the EU type approval regulations relating to the design of diesel fuel tanks, and has had diesel spills included within the Home Office accident-recording process (the forms the police fill in at the scene of an accident). However, one of the biggest problems we've found has been general ignorance.
Realising that this is an education exercise, the BMF has sponsored the KillSpills Rally in London for the past two years. Part of this is an achievement award to the company doing the most to reduce the risk of diesel spills from its vehicles last year this was won by Asda Distribution. This year's winner will be announced at the KillSpills Rally in September.
The message is simple: please don't overfill and ensure the cap fits well; a biker's life could depend on it!
Now in its third year, the KillSp ills Rally takes the form of a mass ride on Saturday 9 September, starting from the historic Ace Cafe London and ending at the Houses of Parliament. Last year it attracted over 2,500 riders concerned about this lethal danger. See vvww.bmf.co.uk for more information.