1 in 8 motorists drive on empty

THIRTEEN per cent of motorists have been “driving on empty” in the past three months as fuel prices have soared, a survey showed.

It is younger motorists who are the ones mostly driving with the petrol warning light flashing, the poll by breakdown service Green Flag revealed.

A total of 25 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds have been driving on empty in recent weeks, while 4 per cent of all motorists have completely run out of fuel in the last 12 months, according to the survey. Based on responses from 2,014 adults, the poll also showed that 13 per cent have set out on a journey feeling nervous about running out of fuel.

The survey also indicated that Britons are spending an average of £27.20 a week on fuel, with expenditure the highest in Northern Ireland (£32.78) and the lowest in Yorkshire & Humberside (£24.56).

PETER WOODMAN