I hope you didn’t answer “yes” to the question in the title of this blog. But many drivers around you are basically saying “yes.” Instead of filling up their tank when they get gas, motorists are buying less fuel. The bad thing is that they’re running out of gas on the side of the road as a result.
This story on Yahoo! explores this new trend. With gas prices exceeding $4 a gallon throughout the country (if you’re still paying below $4 a gallon, consider yourself lucky), drivers are willing to take the gamble on squeezing those extra miles out of their vehicle between visits to the pump.
In Philadelphia, AAA reported twice as many service calls for drivers who ran out of gas in the last year. In May 2007, that number was only 81. But in May 2008, that number exceeded more than 160.
One AAA mobile technician who has responded to many of these calls said that motorists are running out of gas more frequently because they simply can’t make their gas last as long as they need.
Stories like that are becoming more common everywhere. AAA Mid-Atlantic services many areas along the East Coast, including Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A spokesperson for the company said the auto club is “seeing a lot of frustrated motorists who are trying to cut corners, and this is one way they’re doing it.”
Fortunately, you can avoid this problem. Simply visit a local Mercedes-Benz dealer and get one of the new fuel-efficient vehicles that they have available. You’ll still need to watch your gas gauge, but you’ll be able to squeeze more from your dollar with each visit to the pump.
