Motorists who run out of fuel and obstruct traffic face a £100 fine and three penalty points, warns the AA. The motoring organisation stressed that while running out of fuel is not itself an offence, police can penalise drivers who cause an obstruction.
The AA revealed it attended over 10,500 breakdowns last year where vehicles had run out of fuel or charge. Electric car owners are also at risk if their battery dies and blocks a road.
Rule 97 of The Highway Code states drivers must ensure they have sufficient fuel for their journey, especially on motorways. If an obstruction from running out of fuel causes an accident, motorists could be charged with careless driving, facing fines up to £5,000 and nine penalty points.
AA president Edmund King said: “There can be some genuine reasons for running out of fuel such as a faulty gauge or undetected fuel leak. ... But where drivers negligently run on fumes, leaving themselves and others in danger on the road, the weight of the law can be brought to bear on them. Don’t be a fuel gambler by running on fumes.”
Running out of petrol can also damage the car, as the fuel pump may suck in dirt from the bottom of the tank, leading to costly repairs. The AA advises always keeping at least a quarter of a tank of fuel.
