Running out of fuel can land you in a spot of trouble
Martin Smith
Pegasus Couriers MD
Did you know that an avoidable breakdown, such as running out of fuel, can land you in trouble?
Some surveys I will discuss show that more than 800 000 UK motorists run out of fuel annually.
While running out of fuel isn’t illegal, a vehicle that obstructs the road or, even worse, leads to an accident due to an avoidable breakdown is.
Here, I highlight the legalities around letting your vehicle run dry and its importance.
What does the law say
When driving in unfamiliar areas, planning and taking precautions are essential.
The Highway Code (Rule 97) states that the driver should ensure sufficient fuel for the journey before setting off.
The Code also states that planning for sufficient breaks and delays should be factored into the journey.
The fine is a minimum of £100 and three penalty points off your driver’s licence.
If the driver caused an obstruction that resulted in a collision, the penalty could be even more serious.
Nevertheless, there are instances where fuel gauges malfunction or hidden fuel leaks cause drivers to run out of fuel unexpectedly.
The important consideration is whether the fuel run-out was avoidable in the given circumstances.
More common than one thinks
A 2023 survey by Vehicle retailer Motorpoint saw 2,083 motorists interviewed for their take on rising fuel costs and the impact on refuelling.
The survey found 93% of drivers knew it wasn’t good to drive with low fuel levels, 29% believed they could get more miles out of their tank and 16% admitted to trying to use up every mile of fuel before refilling.
Extrapolating the data to match the 33 million licensed cars in the UK meant 5.3 million drivers could be at risk of running out of fuel this year.
According to the breakdown provider Automobile Association (AA), in 2022, they attended more than 10,500 breakdowns where members ran out of fuel or electrical charge. This is an average of more than 28 breakdowns per day.
The Association warned motorists after one of their customers had been fined by police for obstructing traffic after running out of fuel.
A 2014 study by insurer LV= revealed that more than 800 000 drivers run out of fuel a year despite the fuel light coming on.
Damage to your vehicle
Running a vehicle dry is not advised for the engine and has repercussions.
Engine damage isn’t always certain, but it can happen and land you with a huge bill.
Any misfiring or issues moving could indicate that you’re running low on fuel.
Diesel relies on lubricants in the fuel. If this runs dry, the consequences could be dire.
In other cases, your fuel pump can suck in the dirt on the bottom of the tank, clogging it and leading to costly repairs.
Delivery drivers and courier vehicles should always be fuelled
At Pegasus Couriers, we stress the importance of always having in the courier vehicle.
This will keep drivers on the right side of the law and ensure no delivery delays.
Pre-mapped routing software helps drivers plan their routes, find fueling stations, and factor in traffic-related issues.
If a delivery van is running, it means on-time deliveries and happy customers.
At Pegasus, our experienced on-site managers constantly remind drivers to ensure they are fuelled for their routes. During our driver training, we also teach the importance of keeping the vehicle fuelled.
Our fleet and depot management team is on hand to assist any of our drivers should they break down, no matter the reason.
Does my breakdown provider cover me?
It largely depends on your breakdown policy.
About 89% of UK policies analysed by financial information company Defaqto show that customers who run out of fuel are covered.
This equates to one in 10 breakdown policies having no cover.
I recommend calling your breakdown provider to check your policy – you never know when you may need it.
If you want to become a courier driver, apply on our website, and we will call you back.
Become a courier driver today, visit our website for more information and to apply.
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