Fuel costs push more drivers to run on empty
18 Jul 2008
Drivers have been urged not to risk damaging their vehicles - and their car or van insurance premiums - by not running on empty.
Research by YouGov on behalf of Britannia Rescue shows a ten per cent increase of drivers breaking down due to lack of fuel since last year.
Almost half of those questioned said they drive with the bare minimum of fuel and 59 per cent of drivers admitted to driving with the warning light on in the past three months.
Over a quarter said they drove on minimal fuel at least once a month while eight per cent said they drove this way "all the time".
Britannia Rescue's Emma Holyer highlighted the risk to a car's fuel pump which is vulnerable to damage.
"Drivers who run their car on empty are also at high risk of breaking down. Not only is this extremely costly if you don't have breakdown cover and also very inconvenient, running out of fuel on the roads that don't have a hard shoulder can create major safety hazards for other drivers."
An accident could result in higher car, van or motorcycle insurance premiums.
The average cost of a full tank is now £50, Britannia said.
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