Ice Terrorists

[Silver Fox]

Neighbours one can try having a polite word with. On this occasion I'm talking about a Car Wash. On a busy main road. On a steep hill. I don't fancy my chances if I simply ask a Car Wash to stop, well, washing cars...

I would at least have a polite word with the management of the car wash and point out the potential hazard they are causing and ask if they could make reasonable adjustment to their operating procedures to remove / mimimise the risk to cyclists and other road users during these freezing conditions.

If they they fail to act and an accident / injury occurs they can't claim ignorance. Make a note of the person you spoke to for future reference.

 

[theclaud]

Sketty by any chance ?

Yup.

 

[G-Zero]

Is it an offence knowingly to dispense large quantities of water onto a road (for whatever reason) in sub-zero conditions? It goes without saying that it is stupid, but is it criminal?

Without seeing the actual set up and what, if any steps have been taken to prevent the water reaching the road, it could be considered as criminal, especially if a serious incident occurs.

If it's as bad as you say, have the local Police pay a visit and give consideration to subsection 1(a) of this from the Direct.Gov website -

Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 22A (Causing danger to road-users) E+W

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally and without lawful authority or reasonable cause —

(a) causes anything to be on or over a road, or


(b) interferes with a motor vehicle, trailer or cycle, or

(c) interferes (directly or indirectly) with traffic equipment,
in such circumstances that it would be obvious to a reasonable person that to do so would be dangerous.


(2) In subsection (1) above “dangerous” refers to danger either of injury to any person while on or near a road, or of serious damage to property on or near a road; and in determining for the purposes of that subsection what would be obvious to a reasonable person in a particular case, regard shall be had not only to the circumstances of which he could be expected to be aware but also to any circumstances shown to have been within the knowledge of the accused.


(3) In subsection (1) above “traffic equipment” means—

(a) anything lawfully placed on or near a road by a highway authority;

(b) a traffic sign lawfully placed on or near a road by a person other than a highway authority;

(c) any fence, barrier or light lawfully placed on or near a road—

(i) in pursuance of section 174 of the Highways Act 1980, F2. . . or section 65 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (which provide for guarding, lighting and signing in streets where works are undertaken), or

(ii) by a constable or a person acting under the instructions (whether general or specific) of a chief officer of police.


(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) above anything placed on or near a road shall unless the contrary is proved be deemed to have been lawfully placed there.


(5) In this section “road” does not include a footpath or bridleway.


(6) This section does not extend to Scotland.]

 

[Linford]

I would have expected it to be covered by what G-Zero has just posted. Farmers are subject to this when they drop mud on the road. I know a woman motorbiker up my way who got injured when a milk tanker dragged milk fats onto the road outside a local dairy on its wheels. She had to give up her business as she was so badly injured.

 

[theclaud]

I reported it to Highways. The weather's gone all Welsh again so I'd be surprised if they rush to do anything about it while it's not icy. If it freezes I'll report it again.