The number of motorists running out of fuel has risen 17 per cent this year, according to figures relased by the AA rescue service today.
Petrol and diesel prices rose to an all-time highs this summer and by August prices were up by 15 per cent on the start of the year. The soaring costs have lead to motorists increasingly allowing their cars to run empty.
“Running out of petrol is not one of the most common kinds of breakdowns,” said AA public affairs manager Conor Faughnan. “It generally only accounts for about 1 per cent of our calls. “It does happen, though, and the numbers are way up this year.”
“A lot of drivers tell us that they took a gamble and ran the needle into red because they had found that €20 or €30 doesn’t go as far as it used to – literally,” Mr Faughnan added.
The AA data says motorists reported that they took a chance on fuel because they couldn’t find a garage.
“High prices and disappearing service stations are a bad combination that has lead many people to take a gamble.” Said Mr Faughnan.
