pslewis

Do anything un-towrd on the Motorways and you will be billed to put any damage right!!

"Drivers are being hit with expensive bills from Highways Agency contractors for emergency repairs. Motorists claim the prices are over-inflated and in some cases they question whether the repairs ever took place.

Sheila Kaur-Patel, who works as a BBC production manager, was shocked when she received an invoice for £3,000 for damage she had allegedly caused during a motorway incident"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19833237

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I can see their point;

Recently a coach near where I work decided to dump the contents of its sump over a 3 mile stretch of main road before the driver realised there was something wrong and pulled over.

Add rain to the mess, so that every junction he passed turned into a lethal ice rink. I know myself as I went to a four wheel drift at 5mph...I was doing 5mph as I saw the oil slick well in advance and took it easy, so I managed to recover before hitting anything....other drivers didn't drive so cautiously, so many were at the side of the road inspecting their bent wheels/damaged tyres after hitting the curb.

Cue clean up operations dumping tons of kitty litter everywhere to try and soak up the mess. Followed by street sweepers the next day.

My car was a mess, the wheels, the bonnet, windscreen and both sides spattered with oil which overnight had dried on in my garage, I tried to clean it next day, three attempts with a strong solution of car wash suds wouldn't shift it. I ended up using a solvent tar remover...which strips off the wax and sealer, so I had to re-wax and reseal the car again.

I wonder if the coach company were billed for all the clean up operations...and were they held liable for damage caused to cars?

JohnSmith

I do NOT see their point in the case on the BBC

She skidded on something that had been spilt from what I can gather, so why should she have got the bill

If that happened to me I would stick it where the sun doesnt shine on them

richs2891

Ah its the blame / sue culture that we have inherited from the USA. Because the person in question has been in an accident and caused whatever damage, if the person that was the cause of the damage cant be traced (and billed) then the next easiest person gets the bill, ie the driver which had the accident.
Another way to make insurance premiums go even higher ?

Richard

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

This has been the case in France, and Germany, to my knowledge, for over forty years!

And why not?

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

If it is an 'accident' then I think this is highly un fair.
You know damn well that the taxes we are paying allow for general maintainence and repairs. If damage is caused by a stupid driver, then fine, bill him/her.

TelBoy

Who decides whether an incident is an accident though?

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

The Highways Agency and only with solid evidence.

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

I thought this is what we paid insurance for if a bill landed on my mat it would join the rest of the "utter bollox" pile…................straight in the bin! Not as if we have nice roads to ride around on their full of potholes, yet hit one of these and cause damage to your car and i dont see the local council holding their hands up and saying "here is £x amount go get it repaired"???

Just like everything else in Britain thats a flucking joke or rip off!!

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

As long as you submit the claim properly, the local councils are paying for damage caused by pot holes.

Luan Pra bang

Its a scam pure and simple, billing 3k for a load of crap that includes tipper truck hire for 'inspection' proves the point. The whole system of repairing and maintaining the roads is a massive scam anyway , contracts are awarded based on bribes and favours not the actual merits of a tender, I would estimate road maintenance costs the tax payer double what it would if the corruption was not there.

pacenote

Well I submitted a claim using the correct procedures and got nothing !

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

I'm sorry but £3,000 to allegedly clean up after her for a gentle spin where she apparently didn't hit anything or do any major damage is taking the p1ss, she said that she didn't even see any work men come after with sand to clean up etc

Leslie

I would go along with that!

Les

pacenote

Didn't think you had road traffic 'accidents' anymore, thought they are now termed road traffic 'collisions'.

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

This is what i mean, they are quick enough to try demanding it from you but not so fluckin fast when they have to cough up lol, but yes some DO get compensation but this is a very very small % in comparison to claims submitted i know

andy97

iTrader: (1)

If you have minor bump on the motorway leave the motorway and sort it with other party. Don't get the police or wombles involved

scoobeenut

This is the real reason, the police do not use the term RTA (Road Traffic Accident) anymore, the term RTC (Road Traffic Collision) is now used instead. In the eyes of the police every collision has a cause and this means that someone must be accountable for it.

The Highways Agency and insurance companies are simply using this theory to charge people for the clear up operations.

speedking

Sounds like it's a new for old policy. The driver should only have to pay the price of scrappy 25 year old Armco and virtually worn out tarmac, not the cost of new

Seems like the issue is that the victim has no opportunity to view the damage and understand what they're getting for their money before the itemised bill lands on their doormat.

Richy P1984

If they can, the Managing Agent who is responsible for that bit of the motorway / trunkroad will bill the persons / companies involved in the accident. They usually charge an extortionate amount, and may include works which simply aren't required. When you take into account the cost of the replacement material, lane / road closure, traffic management, work crews, equipment hire, and nightworks, a simple job can cost thousands.

In some cases the managing agents (on behalf of the HA) will make a considerable amount from these 'works' and reimburse the HA at the end of the year in order to cover unforeseen or emergency works.

Leslie

All a big con then,as one might expect of course!

Les

99mrbe

iTrader: (1)

Massive con! Especially from the amount of road tax we all pay! Jokes!!!

hodgy0_2

Maybe just a precursor to priviatising the road network

I used to be anti road pricing, but am for it now, scrap car tax and put it on petrol/tolls

nizmo80

iTrader: (2)

if it was me I would refuse to pay.

that is what our road tax is for.