WE 4 YOU
ASTM-SIAS Motorway Operators have undertaken to design, construct and manage high-quality roads so that they can be safe and comfortable. Moreover, we all need fuel, therapeutic oxygen, and many other products whose transport is dangerous because of their intrinsic nature.
This type of transport requires special vehicles, driven by staff with specific qualifications.
The local Health Services and the Italian Fire Brigades are ready to intervene and handle emergencies daily. However, full prevention on the roads avoids dangers to users' safety.
When you drive you must always be cautious, but even more when the risk is very high. FOR GREATER CAUTION, DOUBLE YOUR SAFETY DISTANCE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEFORE YOU BEARS AN ORANGE PLATE ON THE BACK. IF YOU HAVE TO OVERTAKE IT, DO IT WITH THE UTMOST CAUTION.
When?
When you come across a vehicle showing orange panels in addition to the number plate. In that case, you must be aware that the vehicle is transporting hazardous material as defined by the following table:
- Class 1 Explosives
- Class 2 Compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases
- Class 3 Flammable liquids
- Class 4.1 Flammable solids
- Class 4.2 Substances subject to spontaneous combustion
- Class 4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, release flammable gases
- Class 5.1 Oxidizing substances
- Class 5.2 Organic peroxides
- Class 6.1 Toxic substances
- Class 6.2 Repugnant substances that can cause infections
- Class 7 Radioactive material
- Class 8 Corrosive substances
- Class 9 Otherwise dangerous materials
What do I have to do?
Keep it at a distance and double your caution measures.
Why?
I Vehicles bearing an orange plate on the back in addition to number plates usually transport dangerous goods. When you see this type of vehicle you must be particularly careful, because an accident involving it may have very severe consequences on people, facilities and environment. The so-called "hazard plates" are used to indicate the transportation of dangerous goods. They are divided in two parts including:
* the "hazard identification number" or Kemler number above the median line
* the "substance identification number or UN number" below the median line, to allow you to identify the substance exactly.
| 33 |
| 1114 |
BENZOLE
The first digit of the hazard identification number indicates the main danger as follows:
| 2 | Gas |
| 3 | Flammable liquid |
| 4 | Flammable solid |
| 5 | Oxidizing substance or organic peroxide |
| 6 | Toxic substance |
| 8 | Corrosive |
The second and the third digits indicate the secondary dangers:
| 0 | No meaning |
| 1 | Explosion |
| 2 | Release of gas |
| 3 | Flammable |
| 5 | Oxidizing properties |
| 6 | Toxicity |
| 8 | Corrosivity |
| 9 | Risk of spontaneous reaction due to decomposition or polymerization |
When the first two digits are the same, it indicates an increased main danger.
Example:
| 66 | Extremely toxic substance |
| 33 | Extremely flammable liquid (flash-point below 21°C) |
| 88 | Extremely corrosive substance |
| 22 | Refrigerated gas |
| 42 | Solid which, in contact with water, can release gas |
| X | Substance which reacts violently with water |
| X333 | Spontaneously flammable liquid, which reacts dangerously with water |
| X423 | Flammable solid which reacts dangerously with water and can develop flammable gases |
An "X" before the hazard identification number reminds you that the substance is highly reactive to water (holeum, calcium carbide, etc).
Here are some examples:
DIESEL
|
PETROL
| ||||
HIGHLY CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE |
STRONGLY OXIDIZING SUBSTANCE |
Road Code
ART. 168 (DISCIPLINA DEL TRASPORTO SU STRADA DEI MATERIALI PERICOLOSI)
Road code implementation regulations
ART. 365 ( DEFINIZIONI)
ART. 366 (CIRCOLAZIONE DEI VEICOLI CHE TRASPORTANO MERCI PERICOLOSE)
ART. 370 (INCIDENTI IN CUI SIANO COINVOLTI VEICOLI CHE TRASPORTANO MERCI PERICOLOSE)