Running out of fuel on motorway ? law

[centoproject]

so i was ging along today minding my own busnes see that the fuel gauge was on low so thought i would get to next services but nope ran out about 1/4 of a mile away so pulled into the coned of section (roadworks) of motorway went to nearest SOS phone but not wired in still had wrapper on it so thought could call police to inform them but what would i say so just pushed it as far to the left as posable and left hazards on and the triangle and locked it up and did the walk of shame on grass above the barrier didn't take long to buy petrol can and so on

so the main bit of confusion that im having is that is it an offense to run out of petrol on the motorway ?

oh and the best part is i was carrying a replacement fuel tank irony!

 

[dombooth]

Yes it is an offence, you should always have enough fuel for your journey.

Also, never use a warning triangle on a motorway.

Dom

 

[centoproject]

ahh thanks i heard Clarkson saying it once but typed it into google an no credible responses on other forums

oh and as for triangle never knew that thanks for info wont do it again. lets just say i was in a seicento so on mine when it says its empty it is lol.
oh and i was deliberately running it kinda low to fit the replacement tank not trying to be cheap haha

 

[dombooth]

ahh thanks i heard Clarkson saying it once but typed it into google an no credible responses on other forums

oh and as for triangle never knew that thanks for info wont do it again. lets just say i was in a seicento so on mine when it says its empty it is lol.
oh and i was deliberately running it kinda low to fit the replacement tank not trying to be cheap haha

Haha! The problem with the triangle is that you've got to walk on the hard shoulder to put it out, and you risk bring hit by someone concentrating on you and not their driving.

Always get out of the car and behind the barrier with your safety as number one.

Dom

 

[centoproject]

saying that i did have a full lane blocked of and a hard shoulder but next time i will just use hazards so i guess the same rule for dual carageways ?

 

[dombooth]

saying that i did have a full lane blocked of and a hard shoulder but next time i will just use hazards so i guess the same rule for dual carageways ?

I'd say so as its risking your life to put it out.

Dom

 

[centoproject]

well noted thanks i nave learnt my lesson now

 

[Andy Monty]

Think it boils down to common sense the advice used to be was to use one but it changed a few years back.....

A HATO gave a customer of ours a triangle when his van broke down on the M62 then cleared off :shrug:

 

[centoproject]

if im honest it probably wasn't needed it was in afternoon and i had a hole 1 and a half lanes conned of just didn't want to like it look like it was abandoned lol. also left mobile number on dash incase someone wanted to call me.

 

[ben]

I did this last year in the forum van. Just rang the aa and they brought me some diesel (at cost, I was happy! ) ~ no need to go walking!

 

[Kier]

Yes it is an offence, you should always have enough fuel for your journey.

Also, never use a warning triangle on a motorway.

Dom

What offence is it? Apart from being a little bit stupid! (Sorry OP!)

 

[dombooth]

What offence is it? Apart from being a little bit stupid! (Sorry OP!)

Because it was done with "intent" IIRC, if it was pure accident (Example the needle got stuck) then that's fine.
But as he was purposely keeping it low/ very low to empty it's his own fault and not the cars.

Dom

 

[dave]

i didnt think running out was illegal but surely walking to get more fuel is, shouldnt you wait in a safe place for breakdown people to come?

edit:- quick google implies Clarkson made it up and its not an offence in the UK only parts of NZ

 

[Kier]

Because it was done with "intent" IIRC, if it was pure accident (Example the needle got stuck) then that's fine.
But as he was purposely keeping it low/ very low to empty it's his own fault and not the cars.

Dom

I can't find anything online about what offence it will be. Lots about Clarkson saying it was an offence, and people saying it is in Germany and NZ though.

I'm sure no one intends to run out of fuel anyway.

I've got a traffic book somewhere in my room, will have a read when I find it, or ask someone next time I'm in the station (and hope I don't get laughed at too much !)

 

[dombooth]

I can't find anything online about what offence it will be. Lots about Clarkson saying it was an offence, and people saying it is in Germany and NZ though.

I'm sure no one intends to run out of fuel anyway.

I've got a traffic book somewhere in my room, will have a read when I find it, or ask someone next time I'm in the station (and hope I don't get laughed at too much !)

Haha nice one.

I would imagine it could come under careless driving (Forgetting/not filling up)

Dom

 

[dave]

other forums some people are saying to make it careless driving you would have had to have just drove past a services and not bothered to buy fuel

 

[Focus Owner]

everyone's pushed the needle before, I ran out at sheffield train station.

 

[dave]

i dont understand people who carry an empty can when a full one would be more handy, especially when the empty one has petrol fumes in it

 

[Davren]

It's not an offence in the UK. In fact "running out of fuel" is mentioned in the Motorway Regulations as one of the reasons you can stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

It's an offence on the autobahns in Germany I believe.
.

 

[Didge3]

everyone's pushed the needle before, I ran out at sheffield train station.

I ran out in a petrol station, just pushed it about 10ft to the pump.