Little-Known Highway Code Rule Can Knock £150 Off Drivers' Petrol Bill

As British drivers face even higher fuel prices, one expert has suggested following a little-known Highway Code rule that can cut petrol bills by more than £150 per year.

While living costs were already soaring in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflict amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen gas and fuel prices rising further. 

The latest fuel price data from the RAC shows that diesel rose to £1.76 per litre while petrol went up to £1.65, meaning they have increased by 13p and 21p respectively since the start of the month.

This, teamed with the sharp increase in gas bills for millions of households, means many are looking for ways to save pennies where they can.

When it comes to fuel costs, MotorEasy founder and CEO Duncan McClure Fisher has recommended following a tip outlined by the Highway Code. 

He said: “One thing many people do that is entirely unnecessary is to leave their engine idling.

"This can be done first thing in the morning to ‘warm it up’ or when stuck in traffic.

"Even dropping off something at a friend’s house can see people leave the motor running instead of turning off the ignition.

“While this might seem very innocent, research has shown an idling engine can burn through three to four pence of fuel a minute.

"If you are doing 10 minutes of warming up, five days a week, and spending another 30 minutes per week stuck in traffic – that adds up to a very handy £166 a year that’s being wasted.”

By not leaving the engine running unnecessarily, not only will it cut fuel costs, but it’s also better for the environment.  

Fisher continued: "Rule 123 of the Highway Code states, 'You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road'.

"This is enforced under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, with local authorities able to issue a fine of up to £80.

"It's obviously not great for the environment to have increased emissions escaping into the atmosphere either."

With rising tensions caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, MPs were told on Monday (14 March) that fuel prices could soar even higher in the coming weeks. 

Dr Amrita Sen, a founding partner and the chief oil analyst at the research consultancy Energy Aspects, said: “If you do it on the basis of crude oil, we’re saying it could easily go up by 50%. 

“Assuming no tax changes implemented by the government, [petrol] could end up being £2.40 per litre.”