Jul 9, 2008

Out-of-Gas Calls Jump 52 Percent

Apparently one response to the rising cost of gasoline is simply to not buy any…and to hope. The number of Americans running out of gas on the highway jumped a staggering 52 percent in the first five months of 2008 compared to the same time last year, according to the Allstate Motor Club.

“We can’t directly correlate this rise in the number of people running out of gas to the rise in prices at the pump, but anecdotally we know that consumers are trying hard to stretch their dollar, and sometimes that means stretching fuel into fumes,” said Phil Telgenhoff, Allstate assistant field vice president for California. “Drivers should remember running out of gas on the highway can be a lot more than an inconvenience: It can be hazardous.”

Telgenhoff says the average wait time for a can of gas is half an hour, but more troublesome than the hassle is the danger of being stuck on the road. According to the roadside assistance experts at Allstate Motor Club, running out of gas increases the risk of much more serious accidents for the driver with the empty tank and other motorists who suddenly have to maneuver around the stalled vehicle. 

If you feel your car running out of gas, get off the road. Pulling your car to the curb or shoulder will keep you, your passengers and your vehicle from becoming traffic hazards and help you stay safe. If you run out of gas in a traffic lane and find it impossible to move, stay in your vehicle until you are absolutely certain it is safe to get out. Push your vehicle to the side of the road only after you are clear of other cars, and you are sure it is safe. Call for help after you and your passengers are in a secure location. If you do not have a motor club membership, many states and municipalities have emergency roadside assistance services that may help get you and your car out of harm’s way.