The AA said it had seen a 15% year-on-year increase in the number of people running out of fuel, with fellow breakdown company Green Flag recording a 14% rise in out-of-fuel incidents in the first six months of 2011.
With current pump prices remaining near record levels, the AA said it is on course to attend more than 23,000 dry-tank call-outs this year.
Keith Miller, AA patroller of the year, said: “Although we’re all feeling the pain of high pump prices, don’t leave it till you’re running on fumes before filling up.
“Running out can leave you in a potentially dangerous position, as modern cars often just cut out without warning, so ideally fill up before the low fuel light comes on.
“If you’re in an unfamiliar area, your sat-nav or smartphone may be able to tell you the location of the nearest filling station. Rather than chancing it, you can save a lot of money by adopting a few simple eco-driving techniques and cutting back on unnecessary journeys.”