What's the best way let driver know he may have a problem? Was his tanker leaking?

barrier12 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 07:19 PM

I was driving I-95 Northbound in NJ close to Liberty airport on Fri at about 6PM and noticed tanker in front of me was leaking something pretty badly. Tanker had placards, if it would have been gasolin, it could have been... not funny. I pulled in front of him(but not RIGHT in front of him, may be 500 ft), turned on my 4-way, barely pressed brakes couple times, just to catch his attention and showed with my hand he need to stop... I stopped on the shoulder(break down lane), hoping he'll do the same and we will check his hose.

We were in the right lane, he passed me and took the exit, I saw him slowly climbing ramp, probably waiting to see me. I went on my way, hoping he'll stop and check tanker soon anyway.

We had rain before that, so, probably it was just water, but I do not know whether tankers has enough places to have that volume of water I saw.

What's the best way to let driver know he may have a problem? I do not have CB(yet?).

Hope I did not scare him...

ranger309 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 07:45 PM

If you can't get a CB call to him, I,d probably get behind him where he can see you in his mirrors and flash your high beams off and on. Either that or get in the fast lane and hit your air horns and point to the side of the road. Fuel tankers have drains on the top side roll over dome railing, so they won't build up water or liquid. If you can't get his attention and you think its fuel leaking, its a public hazard and you should report him to the police before someone gets hurt. Are you sure it was gasoline leaking ? Maybe he had a coolant leak or snow was melting down the drains. As far as placards, fuel tankers have to have them showing, loaded or empty.

Gonfercoffee · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 08:13 PM

sounds like you over reacted to the situation
it just rained
now you want the guy to pull over
in case it was fuel
geez

but to answer the question
if I can pull up next to him doing them speed limit
I give the ol thumb pointing backward
otherwise let somebody else tell them
If I thought it was a fuel leak I would have backed way out of it
going to be some slick roadway

barrier12 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 08:36 PM

You know, for some reason, and I can not explain why :), I did not feel comfortable to stay behind of him.

It was not snow, we had about 100F, probably rain(water), considering a). we had rain before and b). I have not heard anything related in the news, but again, I was surprised he was losing, I do not know, Gal per second when I saw him. I would expect to see something, like this, when truck turning or breaking(I am talking about water/stones/dust, not tank content, of course).

On tankers placards, you mean, they need to be on, unless tank is washed/cleaned, right?

Gonfercoffee · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 08:59 PM

You were driving past Port Newark
nothing should surprise you in this area

barrier12 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonfercoffee

You were driving past Port Newark
nothing should surprise you in this area

Well, I know whole NJ require a little bit more attention...

I have heard one woman complained something was leaking from the van on her car, when trooper stopped that van, it turned out can of paint fell of the pallet and opened. So she had new paint job on her car, that's with construction paint... That was while ago in TN though...