by Brian Byrne. The National Safety Council and AA Roadwatch have urged the public to report oil or diesel road spills that occur in their community as they pose a significant threat to safety on Irish roads.
Road-users are being asked to report oil or diesel spills to their local Gardai and by calling AA Roadwatch on LoCall 1850 542 542 or emailing the details to oilspills@aaireland.ie
AA Roadwatch has been asked by the National Safety Council to maintain a database of oil/diesel spills in an effort to establish how significant a problem they are on roads.
To date in 2005 there have been 25 major oil and diesel spills, of which 12 stretched for a combined distance of 231km and were deemed to be a major threat to the safety of road-users.
While all vehicle types can potentially be a source of an oil or diesel leak the main causes based on anecdotal evidence appear to be;
1. Faulty seals and hoses not properly emptied on oil / diesel delivery trucks
2. Carelessness in closing fuel caps particularly on heavy goods vehicles
3. Waste oil being carried in tankers and on poorly sealed barrels on goods vehicles spilling at junctions
4. Leaking hydraulic systems / braking systems particularly in agricultural vehicles
5. Road crashes, when oil sumps may be ruptured
