Urgent warning as drivers risk a fine of up to £5,000 and nine penalty points over little-known fuel rule
DRIVERS have been warned that running out of fuel could cost them a £5,000 fine and nine penalty points.
Running out of fuel is bad news for your engine, whether you drive a petrol or diesel car.
The fuel at the very bottom of the tank could have sediment in it – something that usually occurs in older cars – which can damage the fuel lines, block the fuel filter and even damage the engine itself.
Experts at the insurance company AA have issued a warning after one of its members, who caused an obstruction on the road after running out of fuel, recently got a £100 fine.
They say that stopping your car in the road with an empty tank can see you slapped with a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
More serious cases, such as causing an accident, could mean you are forced to go to court, where you could land a much more severe penalty.
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Motorists charged with careless driving face unlimited fines - though these usually do not exceed £5,000 - and up to nine penalty points.
But the same rules apply to those who drive an electric car.
If their batteries run out and they block a road, they can also get a fine.
The AA says it attended more than 10,500 breakdowns last year where members had run out of petrol or electrical charge.
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And this happens because motorists are delaying filling up due to the cost of living crisis.
While running out of fuel isn't illegal, drivers can be fined a minimum of £100 and three penalty points if their car obstructs the road.
Rule 97 of The Highway Code states: "Before setting off. You must ensure – that you have sufficient fuel for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving."
Nick Powell, AA Patrol of the Year, said: "There are some occasions when running out of fuel is totally understandable such as a fuel gauge developing a fault mid-journey, or the fuel tank has struck something in the road.
"But the majority of cases that we see at the roadside are where drivers have run out of fuel because they thought they could make it home or to a cheaper filling station.
"Running out can leave you in a potentially dangerous position.
'Many people are finding the cost-of-living crisis difficult, and fuel costs do hit hard on the family budget.
"We know anecdotally from our patrols that many people they rescue blame high fuel prices and the temptation to fill up as infrequently as possible."
Last year, cops handed a fine to an Audi driver after they ran out of fuel on the M60 motorway near Manchester.
