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12 August 2006 - BMF

THE DIESEL MENACE - THOUSANDS SET FOR LONDON KILLSPILLS RALLY

Saturday 9th September 2006

With just a month to go, all the signs are that this year’s KillSpills Rally, a ride to Westminster to raise the profile of the menace that spilt diesel presents to the UK’s 1.2 million motorcycle and scooter riders, will be by far the biggest yet.

Now in its third year, the BMF sponsored KillSpills Rally, starting from the Ace Cafe, London and ending at the Houses of Parliament, last year attracted over 2,500 riders concerned that the lethal danger of spilt diesel on our roads has for too long been ignored.

Diesel spilt on our roads via over-full fuel tanks, poorly fitted filler caps or no cap at all, is a menace to those on two wheels. Difficult to see until too late, spilt diesel on road surfaces can be a lethal combination, especially when encountered on a bend or at a roundabout.

The 120,000 strong British Motorcyclists Federation has long campaigned on the issue of spilt diesel and is again sponsoring the KillSpills Rally as a way of bringing the issue to a wider audience.

According to Department for Transport figures, between 2000 and 2004, there were 467 serious accidents with 16 people dying as a result of oil/diesel spillage and a further 2,403 accidents resulting in slight injury, but it is well known that if another vehicle is not involved and injuries are slight, an accident goes unreported, masking what is estimated to be a much bigger problem

Concerned at the scale of the problem, biking MP Bill Wiggin tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on diesel spills which attracted the support of over 120 MPs and a delegation from the KillSpills Rally will call at 10 Downing Street to present Prime Minister Tony Blair with an action plan and a third-year anniversary card signed by thousands of motorcyclists.

Supported by its preferred insurance provider Bennetts, the BMF has also provided a KillSpills achievement award to be presented on the day to the company who has done most to reduce the risk of diesel spills from their vehicles.

THE KILLSPILLS 7 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 Can 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. 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 9th is designed to change all that!

The run coincides with the 12th Ace Cafe 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, share the day - be there if you care!

KillSpills London Rally, Saturday 9th September.

Ride assembles at 11.00hrs starts at 13.00 hrs at the Ace Cafe London,

North Circular Road.

Full details on the rally, ride-in points, a poster download and how to buy an official KillSpills T- shirt, can all be found on:

www.bmf.co.uk or go direct to www.killspills.org.uk

www.betterbiking.co.uk

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