Diesel-spilling lorry leaves trail of destruction across Sussex A roads (From The Argus)

I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

At one time I think the police would have attended and REALLY slowed down the traffic but kept it moving. So many drivers nowadays take no notice of advice, weather or road conditions and just drive blindly at top speed.

I used to dislike the M4 so much when I had to use it a few times a week. Around Reading and Slough was particularly bad with traffic barging onto the motorway and leaving at the next exit. The stretch from Bristol to Newbury was treated as a racetrack whatever the weather.

A session on a skidpan would show drivers how bad they are.

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

Unbelievable attitude from a motorist, that you were stopped by the police because in your opinion the road was safe for you to use and your qualifications are what? Yes sometimes Sussex Police overreact but when you think of the distance this truck had travelled and some of the roads he drove on, I can't imagine the untold mess there could have been, A272 where the hedges are being cut, Bucks Barn Cross roads, A24 roundabouts... all bad roads where some accidents have included fatal bike accidents. Seems to me that you think motorbikes are above the law that is there for all road users, maybe you were the rider who gave me the fingers yesterday because you were stuck behind my truck, while I stuck to the 40mph speed limit through the Handcross road works. Beggars belief how some bikers treat the road and other road users around them.

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

I disagree, I wrote my bike off on a small amount of diesel on the A23 a few years ago, travelling at about 30Mph. Imagine the carnage as you slide down the road followed by a 4x4 sliding after you unable to avoid you.
A few hundred people late is far better than a flattened biker.
I is far better to close the road and clean it up.

The guy who said bikers were stoppeds and it was an over-reaction by police - I have sympathy with you, but the way motorcyclists ride these days, a great deal of them would have taken n ot one iota of warning advice to take it easy.

Agree with the second speaker about how driving has changed and I would add so many idiots are on the road now - either flash Harrys who won't slow down, or people so dum, they shouldn't be driving.

I would just take this opportunity to mention another example of my pet hate - cyclists who go through red lights. Last night, after 6pm, in the dark, a cyclist travelling westbound went through a red light at the Hove Park Tavern traffic light and was almost hit by an articulated lorry. Fortunately for both, the driver saw the jerk on a bike and stopped.

Just what makes these people do that?! I wouldn't do it in a car, and I'm safer in a car than on a bike!

I don't get these people.

Cyclic wrote:

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

I disagree, I wrote my bike off on a small amount of diesel on the A23 a few years ago, travelling at about 30Mph. Imagine the carnage as you slide down the road followed by a 4x4 sliding after you unable to avoid you.
A few hundred people late is far better than a flattened biker.
I is far better to close the road and clean it up.

Why on earth would you take a bike on the A23 in the first place?

The lorry driver's insurance company wont be pleased.

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

So 3 confirmed accidents and many near misses attributed to this one incident and you think it's a health and safety overreaction?
Maybe as your so anti health and safety you should stop wearing a helmet on your bike. After reading your comments it seems there's little in your head worth protecting anyway.

Poccypoc wrote:
The guy who said bikers were stoppeds and it was an over-reaction by police - I have sympathy with you, but the way motorcyclists ride these days, a great deal of them would have taken n ot one iota of warning advice to take it easy. Agree with the second speaker about how driving has changed and I would add so many idiots are on the road now - either flash Harrys who won't slow down, or people so dum, they shouldn't be driving. I would just take this opportunity to mention another example of my pet hate - cyclists who go through red lights. Last night, after 6pm, in the dark, a cyclist travelling westbound went through a red light at the Hove Park Tavern traffic light and was almost hit by an articulated lorry. Fortunately for both, the driver saw the jerk on a bike and stopped. Just what makes these people do that?! I wouldn't do it in a car, and I'm safer in a car than on a bike! I don't get these people.

So just cyclists going through reds then? How about all people running reds?

Nice to see a relevant post, couldn't you wait for the monthly bash a bike Argus story?

I would be interested in a (rare) Argus follow up as to what happened to the people involved in the incident. It sounds like carnage, but I hope all involved are ok.Why was there a leak and who will be held liable?

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

Would you rather be early for A&E/your funeral or late for work/an appointment?

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

Do you know what doctors call people like you?...

Organ Donors!

Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The police always get criticised for the decisions they have to make. They are not there to make friends. Their primary objective is the protection of life and property.

Dave At Home wrote:

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

Unbelievable attitude from a motorist, that you were stopped by the police because in your opinion the road was safe for you to use and your qualifications are what? Yes sometimes Sussex Police overreact but when you think of the distance this truck had travelled and some of the roads he drove on, I can't imagine the untold mess there could have been, A272 where the hedges are being cut, Bucks Barn Cross roads, A24 roundabouts... all bad roads where some accidents have included fatal bike accidents. Seems to me that you think motorbikes are above the law that is there for all road users, maybe you were the rider who gave me the fingers yesterday because you were stuck behind my truck, while I stuck to the 40mph speed limit through the Handcross road works. Beggars belief how some bikers treat the road and other road users around them.

No, that was me that gave you the fingers, but only 'cos you're ugly, smell bad and can't drive

It is best to avoid dual carriageways and use ordinary roads. Then you can turn round and find another route.

When the Tanker arrived at its destination in Littlehampton with a mere cup full of diesel left did the driver lean over to the Tesco rep and say "well...every little helps".

HF 05 wrote:
Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The police always get criticised for the decisions they have to make. They are not there to make friends. Their primary objective is the protection of life and property.

Utter RUBBISH.
The primary object of an efficient police is the prevention of crime. The next, that of the detection and punishment of an offender, once a crime has been comitted.
Go back to training school!

Rev Enge, that's actually very amusing considering the circumstances! :D

Tammy Flugh wrote:
The lorry driver's insurance company wont be pleased.

That is assuming he is insured ??

bogs wrote:

HF 05 wrote:
Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The police always get criticised for the decisions they have to make. They are not there to make friends. Their primary objective is the protection of life and property.

Utter RUBBISH.
The primary object of an efficient police is the prevention of crime. The next, that of the detection and punishment of an offender, once a crime has been comitted.
Go back to training school!

The primary duties of those who hold the office of constable are the protection of life and property, the preservation of the Queen’s peace, and the prevention and detection of criminal offences.

Up yours

25 gallons leaked from the lorry over some 30 odds miles not exactly a flood,no doubt the wet road surface allowed the diesel film to spread,no matter what, the police were correct to shut the roads

There have been thefts of diesel by drilling lorry fuel tanks. Sometimes drivers unaware until remnants spill out and their tank runs empty quickly.Just saying.

Dave At Home wrote:

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

Unbelievable attitude from a motorist, that you were stopped by the police because in your opinion the road was safe for you to use and your qualifications are what? Yes sometimes Sussex Police overreact but when you think of the distance this truck had travelled and some of the roads he drove on, I can't imagine the untold mess there could have been, A272 where the hedges are being cut, Bucks Barn Cross roads, A24 roundabouts... all bad roads where some accidents have included fatal bike accidents. Seems to me that you think motorbikes are above the law that is there for all road users, maybe you were the rider who gave me the fingers yesterday because you were stuck behind my truck, while I stuck to the 40mph speed limit through the Handcross road works. Beggars belief how some bikers treat the road and other road users around them.

Sounds like a right old story, if in such a hurry why would he sat behind you when on the entire length of the roadworks there are at least two lanes in each direction. Would be trivial to either overtake or filter past you. Also speeding there wouldn't be the best of ideas anyway as the speed cameras are facing towards your back, so motorcycles still have their plates read. I think you're spinning some yarn here.

As I've been riding for 20 years in all sorts of weather and road conditions I'm keenly aware of the dangers and limitations we face daily. In my opinion the dangers are surprise/unexpected situations or exceeding ones capability. The point I am making is that the moment such a spillage becomes known it no longer poses a threat when it is taken into account.

That means increasing your distances to other motorists, allowing for less grip, longer braking distances, etc etc.

I maintain that every motorist should be able to safely handle adverse road conditions they have been made aware of. Plus keep a healthy safety margin to deal with the unexpected.

Roads should be closed if they're physically impassable, not because they can no longer be safely used at the posted speed limit.

Crystal Ball wrote:

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

Would you rather be early for A&E/your funeral or late for work/an appointment?

This wasn't about pushing the safety envelope to gain a few minutes. This is about standing 3 hours in the rain in front of a passable piece of road.

Cyclic wrote:

ArminH wrote:
I was stuck for 3hrs at the top of the queue this morning with a dozen or so other motorbikers who like me were prevented by the police from proceeding.

From what I could see, there was some spillage, but not to the degree of having to close the road. This was a health & safety overreaction.

Slippery road conditions are a danger when they catch you unawares, once aware every traffic participant should be able to handle them.

Farm machinery leave mud tracks, horses leave manure, summer rains after days of sun create a very slipper mud film, morning frost leave black ice... all these easily delivery many times more treacherous conditions than a film of diesel on the road - which btw happens all the time just not on prolonged stretches of road. We shouldn't and can't close down roads just because they became slightly impaired.

The bottomline to me: I think that Sussex Police should have advised the motorists to be extra careful rather than closing down the soiled roads.

I disagree, I wrote my bike off on a small amount of diesel on the A23 a few years ago, travelling at about 30Mph. Imagine the carnage as you slide down the road followed by a 4x4 sliding after you unable to avoid you.
A few hundred people late is far better than a flattened biker.
I is far better to close the road and clean it up.

Sorry to hear about your spill. It probably caught you by surprise and you weren't able to recover in time.

About your 4x4 scenario ... my point is that when the conditions are challenging motorists must leave extra safety margins. That means your 4x4 driver must keep plenty of distance in addition to you being extra careful.

We are talking about a 3 hour needless wait. Even travelling at a crawl through the affected area would have been vastly preferable.

I was there and observed the diesel coverage. It started a fair distance before the actual police block. It really was not that significant.

HF 05 wrote:

bogs wrote:

HF 05 wrote:
Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The police always get criticised for the decisions they have to make. They are not there to make friends. Their primary objective is the protection of life and property.

Utter RUBBISH.
The primary object of an efficient police is the prevention of crime. The next, that of the detection and punishment of an offender, once a crime has been comitted.
Go back to training school!

The primary duties of those who hold the office of constable are the protection of life and property, the preservation of the Queen’s peace, and the prevention and detection of criminal offences.

Up yours

unless you own a caravan"read between the lines"

diesel spillage is one of the biggest killers of bikers in this country. I have come off after just hitting a small amount. Its worse than ice.

HJarrs wrote:

Poccypoc wrote:
The guy who said bikers were stoppeds and it was an over-reaction by police - I have sympathy with you, but the way motorcyclists ride these days, a great deal of them would have taken n ot one iota of warning advice to take it easy. Agree with the second speaker about how driving has changed and I would add so many idiots are on the road now - either flash Harrys who won't slow down, or people so dum, they shouldn't be driving. I would just take this opportunity to mention another example of my pet hate - cyclists who go through red lights. Last night, after 6pm, in the dark, a cyclist travelling westbound went through a red light at the Hove Park Tavern traffic light and was almost hit by an articulated lorry. Fortunately for both, the driver saw the jerk on a bike and stopped. Just what makes these people do that?! I wouldn't do it in a car, and I'm safer in a car than on a bike! I don't get these people.

So just cyclists going through reds then? How about all people running reds?

Nice to see a relevant post, couldn't you wait for the monthly bash a bike Argus story?

I would be interested in a (rare) Argus follow up as to what happened to the people involved in the incident. It sounds like carnage, but I hope all involved are ok.Why was there a leak and who will be held liable?

Yes, the more people like me "bash" cyclists, as you put it, the message might get through to these jerks, but I doubt it. I DO see cyclists stop at red lights, but it's only about 50/50.

I will continue to report here every incident I see.