Low on fuel? Don’t wait for the warning light, urges motoring organisation GEM
Letting your car run out of fuel can have a catastrophic effect on its engine and can endanger other road users, a motoring organisation has warned.
Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is reminding motorists to ensure they avoid letting their car’s fuel tank get anywhere near empty. In particular, GEM urges those drivers who enjoy the challenge of seeing how far they can go with the fuel light on and a tank that’s close to empty.
GEM chief executive Neil Worth commented: “If you permit your car to run out of fuel, you risk serious damage to the engine as well as potentially putting yourself and your passengers at risk of a collision because you will not be choosing where the car finally gives up.”
Running out of fuel on a motorway is irresponsible as well as dangerous. Although it’s not an offence in its own right, there are cases where drivers have been prosecuted for driving without due care and attention – or without reasonable consideration for other road users – when a collision resulted from their running out of fuel and breaking down.
Neil Worth concludes: “Check you have enough fuel for a journey. If you need to refuel, plan where you will stop so there is no risk whatsoever that you will run out.”
Follow GEM on Twitter @MotoringAssist for the latest industry news.
- GEM Motoring Assist was established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM’s aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services.
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