oil track
Oil traces are road surface contamination caused by traffic accidents or technical defects in motor vehicles from escaping fuel or engine oils . Oil traces are also often left behind by vehicles if the fuel filler cap is not properly closed. In this case, an oil trail can stretch for several kilometers. Especially when cornering, the trail is more noticeable because of the fuel sloshing out.
Oil traces cause a slippery road surface and thus represent a traffic hazard that can lead to secondary accidents. Two-wheelers , in particular, can seriously injure themselves if they fall at a corresponding speed on an oil trail. Therefore, and primarily for reasons of environmental protection , it is necessary to remove traces of oil immediately and thoroughly. This cleaning is usually carried out by the road construction company or, for example in urgent cases or in the event of an accident, by the fire brigade .
Various oil binding agents are suitable for cleaning , which are applied once or, if necessary, several times to the oil trail, swept in with the Piassava broom and then picked up again and disposed of. Wet cleaning is often carried out to remove the last of the oil residues from the furrows, usually using suitable wetting agents . The oil released in this way is in turn removed with an oil binding agent. The collected residue must be disposed of as industrial waste in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act.
Since this procedure is very time-consuming, many fire brigades have started to sprinkle the road once with an oil binding agent and then pick it up again. In Germany, however, the original responsibility for removing traces of oil on public roads lies with the relevant road construction agency ( federal , state , district or local authority ). In Germany that make fire brigades of the police in removing traces of oil after accidents only assistance (§ § 4 ff. VwVfG ).
However, there are also new technical concepts for removing traces of oil, including special street cleaning machines (ÖWSF).
In view of the fact that only a few traces of oil can be caused by someone who has to pay for the operating costs, municipalities and road authorities are happy to choose the cheapest method of removing an oil trace. In addition, when choosing the suitable oil binding agent, its ability to be swept is crucial. No oil binding agent that is powdery or tending to powder should be used. The powder parts are mixed with oil in pores, cracks and furrows of adhesive lubricant . Such a grease cannot be swept. An oil binder that is easy to sweep should not have any fine grain content and its grains should not be able to split up. Manual oil removal on traffic areas thus gains advantages through less work, costs and environmental hazard.
In order to warn road users of the risk of slipping, appropriate hazard signs (sign 114 - risk of skidding when wet or dirty) are usually set up for a few days after the oil trail has been removed. Usually, however, the warning for road users is given with the VZ 101 StVO (danger point) and the additional sign 1006-30 "Oil spill".
Traffic accident with two cars and leaking equipment; Oil binder (red, orange)
Scattering an oil trail with an oil binding agent
Recording of an oil trail with a liquid binder
Section 40 (6) StVO sign 114 - Danger of skidding when wet or dirty in Germany
§ 40 Paragraph 6 StVO additional sign 1006-30 - oil trace
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