One in eight motorists has driven with a near-empty tank of petrol in the last three months, research from Green Flag has shown.
These 'Vapour Trailers' are risking running out of fuel altogether and, during the past year alone, 1.4 million motorists have found themselves stranded after driving with the warning light flashing for too long.
It seems that the reason for this is the spiralling cost of fuel, and younger drivers (aged 18-34) are the most likely 'vapour trailers', with 25% admitting that they have driven with the fuel warning light on in the last three months.
Miranda Schunke, spokesperson for Green Flag, has highlighted the risks of running on empty:
"Vapour trailers pose a serious threat to themselves and other motorists. Running out of fuel on a busy road increases the risk of being hit by other motorists and those who have run dry awaiting assistance by the side of the road are also leaving themselves unnecessarily vulnerable."
18% of motorists have admitted to 'vapour trailing' due to high fuel prices. The research has also highlighted what the average motorist spends per week on petrol, with the results shown in the table below.
| Region | % of drivers running on empty | Weekly Fuel Expenditure |
|
West Midlands N. Ireland East of England |
18% 18% 16% 16% 14% 14% 13% 11% 10% 9% 9% 8% |
£27.22 £24.89 £25.07 £25.91 £24.56 £29.29 £32.78 £28.74 £25.74 £27.13 £30.10 £26.00 |
