Jake
December 2nd, 2003, 01:10 PM
Diesel spills could be a contributor to up to 6,000 serious injuries and deaths to motorcyclists a year, the RAC Foundation said today.
Careless refuelling of diesel vehicles often results in large patches of diesel spilling on to roads.
This can cause motorcyclists to lose control of their bikes – with disastrous consequences, said the foundation.
Accident statistics for 2003 are likely to show that the number of bikers and their passengers killed on the roads was around 360 compared with 288 in 2002.
“While a number of factors could have contributed to these deaths, hazardous diesel spills on the road are consistently brought up as cause of motorcycle accidents,” said the foundation.
A national campaign has been launched to tackle the problem following the death in north Wales of Lee Connor, 41, who slid on diesel fuel and was killed when he collided with an oncoming car.
“Diesel spills are avoidable, yet can contribute to thousands of motorcycle accidents each year,” said RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King.
“Sloppy drivers who overfill their car or lorry with diesel my unwittingly be making UK roads potentially perilous for motorcycle riders.
“With diesel vehicles becoming increasingly popular, motorists need to be warned that they must be extra vigilant when re-filling and ensure that they put their filler cap on correctly.
“We hope that car manufacturers will undertake some research to see if they can design vehicles that would not allow fuel to spill on to the highway.”
Careless refuelling of diesel vehicles often results in large patches of diesel spilling on to roads.
This can cause motorcyclists to lose control of their bikes – with disastrous consequences, said the foundation.
Accident statistics for 2003 are likely to show that the number of bikers and their passengers killed on the roads was around 360 compared with 288 in 2002.
“While a number of factors could have contributed to these deaths, hazardous diesel spills on the road are consistently brought up as cause of motorcycle accidents,” said the foundation.
A national campaign has been launched to tackle the problem following the death in north Wales of Lee Connor, 41, who slid on diesel fuel and was killed when he collided with an oncoming car.
“Diesel spills are avoidable, yet can contribute to thousands of motorcycle accidents each year,” said RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King.
“Sloppy drivers who overfill their car or lorry with diesel my unwittingly be making UK roads potentially perilous for motorcycle riders.
“With diesel vehicles becoming increasingly popular, motorists need to be warned that they must be extra vigilant when re-filling and ensure that they put their filler cap on correctly.
“We hope that car manufacturers will undertake some research to see if they can design vehicles that would not allow fuel to spill on to the highway.”