Latest Fuel News

According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, drivers failing to look before making a manoeuvre have been a contributory factor in 29 per cent of serious collisions and 36 per cent of slight accidents in the last six months.

The study also found that 58 per cent of drivers had been cut-up in the last six months by another road user who didn’t look properly, and that 40 per cent of these incidents took place in a 30mph zone. The Institute also

TomTom has blamed a ‘leap year’ bug for causing some of its devices to fail and has released a new software update in an effort to solve the problem.

The firm said that a problem with its global positioning system firmware – code embedded into the devices – had caused models worldwide to fail to identify their location.

With over 98% of Fleet drivers using a Sat Nav frustrations have been running high. Users affected with the bug have been presented with a grey screen and a message saying the machine lacked a GPS signal. The issue first emerged on March 31.

Thames Water has printed hundreds of bumper stickers ansd handed them out to fleet and road drivers with the slogan “Proud to be Dirty” in an attempt to encourage drivers to stop washing their vehicles over the summer.

Restrictions brought in across the South East ban drivers from using hosepipes to wash their cars, patios, and the outside of houses.

Simon Evans, of Thames Water, said that as long as a car’s windows and lights are clean the rest of the chassis should be filthy.

“People should wear dirty cars like a badge of honour. You should be proud to have the dirtiest paintwork in Britain,” he said.

Fleet Companies and HGV Drivers were left feeling uneasy today.

It comes after Downing Street was accused of sparking panic buying of Petrol / Diesel last night after urging motorists to fill up ahead of a potential fuel strike.

Forecourts across Britain have started to run dry this morning as motorists rush to the pumps ahead of a possible driver tanker strike.

It comes as a Government minister today suggested people should prepare for a fuel shortage by filling up any spare jerry cans – even though the strike hasn’t been called yet.

A committee of MPs has said it is disappointed at the lack of progress on new measures to tackle fuel fraud in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said customs officials should work harder to acquire new technology.

This is to prevent red diesel from being sold illegally by paramilitaries and criminal gangs.

The report comes after the committee heard evidence from a series of witnesses at Westminster.

Laurence Robertson, chairman of the committee, said it was “bitterly disappointed at the seemingly slow pace of progress on acquiring effective technologies to tackle fuel crime”.

MoreCompany cars and fleet companies that drive low emissions cars face an increase in costs under the new rules detailed in the Budget today.

Several changes to the way company car tax is charged were announced and although a decision to a cut the 3% diesel supplement will be welcome for company car drivers other changes will mean higher costs.

The removal of the 3% diesel supplement will now put fuel-efficient diesels on par with petrol models but further changes published by Chancellor George Osborne to the company car tax rules will put a further £375million on the Government’s coffers and hit the company car driver harder.

Here at Forecourt Fuel Cards we are always on the lookout for a chance to get our creative juices flowing !

This is our new Fuel Card video which has been made by us, so that we can let you know all of the benefits of having a Forecourt Fuel Card.

Please take a look and see how our Fuel Cards can help you save every time you fill up your tank,  if your  sick and tired of paying sky high diesel and petrol prices, or,  maybe  you’ve had a fuel card account before but were left disillusioned after empty promises of savings from the supplier that never materialised. This unique offer from Forecourt Fuels ensures you pay the lowest possible rates and safeguards you against any unnecessary price increases.

Fuel prices are set to rise by 3p a litre in August. At current pump prices that will push the average UK cost of a litre of unleaded to £1.45 and a litre of diesel up to £1.50 – although analysts warn that the wholesale cost of oil could well rise in the intervening period, pushing up costs even further.

The high cost of fuel is still the biggest cause for concern among UK haulage operators, according to the latest Freight Transport Association (FTA) Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs 2011. 

Operators continue to be squeezed by rising operating costs, while facing pressure to minimise any increases in haulage rates and lengthening payment terms from customers, said the FTA.

FTA Research Analyst Bruce Goodhart said: “The high price of diesel is the number-one concern keeping hauliers awake at night.

“Fuel now represents around 40% of annual operating costs, compared with around one-third just three years ago.”

Hikes in Petrol / Diesel prices occur so regularly that ways to combat them should be almost second nature to Fleet owners and Haulage Firms.

Here at Forecourt Fuel Cards we know that the latest price rise brings worries for all Driving Businesses, underscoring the urgency of really following up on those money-saving moves this time.

Drivers may are having to take more drastic steps to keep costs down just to conserve the Fuel that they are using.

Short of buying a new vehicle, here are some tips on ways to shave your costs regardless of how high prices climb: