Petrol and diesel drivers risk being hit with £100 fines when searching for the cheapest fuel, amid the ongoing Iran war, it has been warned. Lee Puffett, managing director of Start Rescue, acknowledged that all motorists were "feeling the pinch" of higher petrol and diesel prices.
He added: "Driving several miles out of your way or making a dedicated trip to fill up could mean paying more overall and possibly running out of fuel altogether, especially as more drivers run their cars to near empty due to high costs."
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that drivers must have sufficient fuel or charge for their journey, particularly when travelling on the motorway. Running out of fuel on the motorway can lead to a £100 fine and three penalty points for careless driving, in addition to any recovery fees, Mr Puffett noted.
He continued: "Driving further to save a small amount could be expensive if your vehicle breaks down due to fuel starvation and you don't have breakdown cover, which includes running out of fuel. We advise monitoring local fuel forecourts and, as you are passing by, to fill up with petrol or diesel when the fuel gauge shows roughly a quarter tank."
Fuel Price Trends
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "The sudden spike in the price of crude oil due to the latest tensions in the Middle East is likely to be a setback for drivers. While the price of unleaded at the pumps has fallen by more than a penny since peaking on 15 April at 158.31p, our analysis of wholesale costs shows petrol is now more expensive for retailers to buy than at any time since the war began.
"However diesel, which has come down by 3p a litre, is currently well below its highest wholesale price since the start of the conflict, so should fall further. The switch round in wholesale cost trends is partly due to the time of year as the market for petrol tends to increase in the spring as people in the US begin to drive more, whereas the price of diesel often reduces as Western Europe's use of heating oil, which is made from the same part of the barrel, lessens as the temperature warms up."
Advice for Drivers
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys carefully and avoid driving extra miles to save a few pence per litre, as the potential fine and recovery costs could far outweigh any savings. Keeping the fuel tank at least a quarter full and using local fuel stations when passing by can help prevent running out of fuel and incurring penalties.
