Diesel and oil spills on Mayo’s roads cause an unacceptable hazard to motorists and motorcyclists, according to Mayo’s road safety officer Noel Gibbons.
Vehicles can skid, swerve, and lose control on patches of diesel, endangering drivers, passengers, other road users, as well as 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 is 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,” said Mr Gibbons.
“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,” he added.
To help combat this problem, Mayo County Council’s Road Safety Office has launched the ‘Cap it’ initiative – the aim of which will be to raise the awareness of the problem, and the potential consequences and dangers to all road users. Encourage the reporting of diesel spills so that quick remedial action can be taken. 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.
The initiative is being backed by local gardaí and the Environment section of Mayo County Council.
