Travelling on a fairly quiet motorway near Metz we were following a HGV in the slow lane when for no obvious reason he swerved into middle lane. It then became apparent he had avoided going over what looked like heavy duty caravan step/lorry steps or similar. I thought we could probably drive over them but at last minute changed my mind and swerved onto hard shoulder to avoid. Immediately after a BMW overtook us spewing out what I thought was water but by the smell given off quickly realised it was petrol. The car stopped on the hard shoulder and I pulled over about 100 yards in front to see if I could be of assistance. A young woman got out and stood by the car, obviously distressed and started to use her mobile. I frantically was waving for her to come away from her car and she finally started to realise the potential for the car to ignite from the still gushing petrol leak. We then stayed with her until she was sorted out with recovery. I think she was probably a bit too close to us as she said she didn't see obstruction which we had swerved to avoid.
Rob
Rob