Right this post is one that has come about due to
a ACCIDENT on the A3 by limburg here in Germany last week.
A driver whose firm is pulling for AN-other was told to pick up
a sealed trailer and to deliver its contents to the customers as per the
freight notes, The driver was on the road when after passing the famous
BLACK-CAT in the direction of Frankfurt he noticed that the rear axle
was smokeing ,the firebrigade and police was called ,by the time they
arrived the trailer was alight,UNbeknown TO THE FIREBRIGADE;POLICE;
and the DRIVER,( he told the police he had no knowledge that ADR/GGVS
was on board) asthe vehicle was NOT showing any HAZ signs like 2 -X
orange shields front&rear, on BOARD was 12X200liter plastic barrels
of SOLVENTO ,this is classed as highly dangerous due to the information
not being avalible straight away some of the load ended up in the RIVER
causeing pollution and a hazard to the locals and the water treatmentplant
AT present the incident is under investigation , the driver,his employers
and also the firm who gave the first firm the contract to do the job,plus
the customer who placed the goods on the vehicle with out declareing
(this has to be checked first) ARE ALL being investigated AND IF
FOUND guilty can be given a jail sentence plus fine and also the
costs incurred from the accident
MAKE sure that if you have to take a sealed load that
you have paperwork which states what the load is
made up of,also try to get a FAX or loading list
which states NO-HAZARDOUS at all is on board
IF you are carrying even under the limits make sure
you have a loading plan where it is located and
what exactly it is and how it is being transported
ie: tins,barrels, etc,This is not often asked for by the BAG
POLICE but it is a requirement.