Road Safety
Diesel spills - let's Cap Them!
By Noel Gibbons
20, Jan 2011 - 08:42

Diesel/oil spills on Mayo's roads cause an unacceptable hazard to Motorists, motorcyclists, and they have asked us to help reduce the number of spills they have to deal with.

Diesel/oil spillages are hazards which threaten the safety of all road users. Vehicles can skid, swerve and lose control on patches of diesel, endangering their drivers, passengers, other road users, pedestrians and property. Wet weather can worsen slicks and, coupled with bad light, can sometimes make them impossible to see. Diesel can take up to 100 days to break down so can remain on the road surface for a long time, often reappearing only during rain..

Apart from the hazards it creates it makes economic sense not to waste fuel at its current price and the clean up of these oil spills it a large cost to local authorities.

The problem is mainly caused by drivers forgetting to put the fuel cap back on properly, as well as the overfilling of fuel tanks on vehicles.

"Added to that the apparent increase in the number of people commuting on two wheels makes the time right to give this problem the attention it deserves.

It is a fact that many drivers are unaware of the danger caused by even a small amount of spilled fuel.

"In the summer motorcyclists usually have the benefit of better weather so they can try and avoid these wet patches if they see them, but after a dry spell these patches become more common."

To help combat this problem, Mayo County Council's Road Safety Office have launched the "Cap it" initiative - the aim of which will be to:

1.Raise the awareness of the problem, and the potential consequences and dangers to all road users.

2.Encourage the reporting of diesel spills so that quick remedial action can be taken.

3.Promote education at haulage companies, drivers, farmers, bus companies, petrol filling stations etc. about the problems caused by overfilling, poorly fitted fuel caps and poorly maintained vehicles - all of which can lead to diesel spillage.

This is not a problem for Mayo alone. There is national recognition amongst motorists and rider groups that diesel spills are a very real issue and it's in this context that we are trying to make progress in our own region. If we can cap this problem in Mayo we'll be making a real contribution to solving a national, as well as a local, threat to biker safety and motorist safety.

Conor Faughnan Director of Policy AA Ireland said ‘Diesel/oil spills are a major hazard on the road. Usually the driver doesn't know that he is leaving a lethal hazard behind him as he drives, but he is making the road into a death trap. We get regular complaints and reports in to AA Roadwatch about diesel spills, which are especially dangerous for motorbikes and cyclists and can readily cause accidents. Even small amounts of fuel spilled on a road are very dangerous. It is effectively like hitting a patch of sheer ice; braking and traction can be lost in an instant.'

Mr Noel Gibbons urged "All drivers of agricultural vehicles, fuel delivery trucks and hauliers to ensure their fuel tanks are secure as we have had quite a few diesel spills on our roads lately, apart from the cost to the local authority to clean up these spills, these spills can cause the loss of a life."

He added: "By taking extra care with your fuel cap, you are not only increasing safety on the road but you are also saving yourself fuel costs too."

Inspector Martin Byrne Castlebar Gardai said "We back this initiative 100 per cent because I don't think that drivers appreciate the dangers that are involved from spilled fuel, any measures to reduce collisions is most welcome, this initiative to highlight the problems caused by diesel spillage is an excellent idea."

Sharon Cameron, Environment Awareness Officer with Mayo County Council added her support to the "Cap it" initiative. "I think this is an excellent idea, as well as the road hazards associated with diesel /oil spills, they also pose a very real and serious threat to the environment. Spilt diesel if not very quickly controlled can make its way onto land and into watercourses where it poses a serious threat to habitats and wildlife: with a little more care by motorists we could very easily eliminate this threat."

Clearly though we need your help to do it.

If you run a diesel vehicle don't overfill your tank and remember to replace your fuel cap properly - it's money down the drain if you don't.
Ensure your vehicle is well serviced. If you see a problem, get it fixed immediately before it causes problems to others.
As well as causing hazards on the road, diesel also corrodes the bitumen road surface causing longer term safety problems.
If you drop diesel on the roadway you could be recharged with the cost of repairing the damage.
Early reporting is essential. The earlier they are reported, the sooner they can be dealt with.
If you are responsible for diesel vehicles in your work, or think that your fleet, safety or depot manager might be interested in helping to reduce wasteful and dangerous spillages, get in touch with us today.
How do you spot a diesel spill?

There are a number of characteristics that allow you to spot diesel spills on the road:
Diesel spills have a rainbow effect in wet conditions
Diesel has a distinctive smell
Diesel spills are slippery underfoot

Posters and stickers will be sent to Fleet operators, heavy goods test centres and oil distribution companies around the County.