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BIKERS TACKLE LETHAL DIESEL DANGER
Over 1000 riders are expected at this year’s KillSpills protest rally in London, an event designed to raise the profile of the menace that spilt diesel presents to the UK’s 1.2 million motorcycle and scooter riders and take the issue right to the heart of Government. Diesel spilt on our roads through ‘necking’ (the over-filling of fuel tanks), or spillage via poorly fitted filler caps, is a menace to anyone on two wheels. Spilt diesel on road surfaces is a lethal combination. It’s often difficult to see until it is too late and, like riding on black on ice, especially if encountered on a bend or roundabout (as is often the case), a crash is almost inevitable. The 140,000 strong British Motorcyclist Federation has long campaigned on the issue of spilt diesel, but for the first time in its history it is backing a rider demonstration via the KillSpills Rally as a way of bringing the issue to a wider audience. According to Department for Transport figures, every year some 300 motorcycle accidents are attributed to diesel spillage, but it is well known that if another vehicle is not involved and injuries are slight, an accident goes unreported. Last year’s first KillSpills rally, with over 800 motorcyclists taking part, provided graphic proof that this issue is high on the agenda of the motorcycling community. The KillSpills London Rally on 10th September will take the form of ride from the Ace Café, Stonebridge Island on London’s North Circular Road, to the Houses of Parliament. It will be escorted by Metropolitan Police motorcyclists with assistance from KillSpills marshals. Last year, a 10,000 name petition along with a diesel spills action plan* were presented to the Prime Minister’s office, but as no apparent action has been taken, a delegation from the KillSpills organising team and the BMF will call at 10 Downing Street to present Prime Minister Tony Blair with a one-year anniversary card signed by as many as possible of the rally’s participants. Supported by its preferred insurance provider Bennetts, the BMF has also provided a KillSpills award to be presented on the day by the KillSpills team to the company who has done most to reduce the risk of diesel spills: *THE KILLSPILLS 8 POINT ACTION PLAN: 1. Warning signs should be displayed at service stations informing diesel users of the dangers of overfilling diesel tanks or not refitting the filler cap correctly. 2. The Highway Code should highlight the dangers of spilt diesel and publicise the penalties of spilling diesel on the public highway 3. The THINK! Campaign should be used to get the diesel spill message across: “Think! - Diesel Spills Kill” 4. Lobby for European wide resolution to ensure that future generations of commercial vehicles have anti-spill devices fitted as standard 5. Government Departments and Local Authorities to lead by example, ensuring that their drivers are fully briefed about the dangers of overfilling a diesel tank or not refitting the filler cap correctly 6. Introduce a general Road Safety Hotline that the public can use to report diesel spills and other road safety issues 7. Publish statistics on the reasons prohibition notices are served on commercial vehicles 8. Diesel spills are recognised as a hazard in the Department for Transport Network Management Duty Guidance, but there are no Home Office guidelines to the emergency services relating to treatment of diesel spillage. This should be corrected as part of joined-up government Diesel spillage is an important issue that has been ignored for too long say the BMF, September 10th is designed to change all that. The run coincides with the 11th Ace Café Reunion Weekend so although there will be a serious message, it will also be an opportunity for riders to attend a fun day at the Ace cafe! Join the ride, wear the T shirt, fly the flag, share the day - be there if you care! All participants will be issued with KillSpills pennants and stickers and an information pack. Full details on the rally, a poster download and how to buy an official KillSpills T- shirt, www.bmf.co.uk or go direct to www.killspills.org.uk
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