More drivers 'running out of fuel'

25 September 2008 05:19am

The high cost of fuel is causing more motorists to run out of petrol, said the AA.

In recent weeks, as many as 20% of drivers have gone past, or very close to, the empty mark, with miscalculations mainly caused by drivers failing to realise how little petrol their money was now buying.

Younger drivers have been most likely to run on empty, an AA/Populus poll of 12,000 AA members showed.

Not being able to find cheaper fuel, thinking they could reach their destination and not having enough money were also reasons given for running out of petrol.

Regionally, drivers in Northern Ireland (35%) and north west England (22%) were most likely to run out of petrol.

AA president Edmund King said: "The high cost of fuel over the last 12 months means that more drivers have been running on empty. This week's record rebound in the price of oil raises the spectre again.

"Drivers need to remember that £40-worth of fuel will get them one third less distance than it did the same time last year.

"Drivers running on fumes need to remember that a breakdown in the middle of nowhere could turn out more costly than a few litres of fuel - particularly if a car is towed away to a safer location by a road authority firm, costing as much as £150."

© The Press Association