More than a third of drivers believe fuel shortages are a real possibility, and two in three support reducing the motorway speed limit to 60mph to conserve fuel and save money at the pumps, a new survey has revealed.
Public Support for Speed Limit Reduction
The survey, conducted by Startline Motor Finance, found that 47% of people agree the UK needs to cut petrol and diesel use amid concerns over fuel supplies. 16% say cutting speeds by 10mph will hardly affect journey times. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: "Cutting the motorway speed limit is an idea from the Institute for Public Policy Research, designed to be a simple way to cut fuel use both by individual drivers and overall."
Fuel Shortage Fears Amid Iran Conflict
The survey follows the collapse of a ceasefire in the Iran war, with former US President Donald Trump declaring the ceasefire over at a Nato summit in Ankara. Trump called Iran's leadership "scum" and "sick people," and threatened to cut off trade with Spain over defence spending. He also renewed his claim on Greenland, calling it "a big problem for us."
Burgess added: "The public backing for this is perhaps surprisingly high and shows people are willing to modify their behaviour in order to try to conserve petrol and diesel, and even help contain prices at the pumps and head off the possibility of fuel rationing."
Shift Towards Electric Vehicles
Burgess noted that the fuel shock has already influenced consumer behaviour, with increased interest in used electric cars. "There is already some evidence that consumers have been looking more favourably on used electric cars since the onset of the fuel shock, and going electric is certainly a good way of insulating yourself from the worst of pump price increases," he said.
