Motorists in the UK warned to not drive slower over Iran oil crisis fears

Motorists have been urged not to change their behaviour behind the wheel or at the pump, but some have already taken action as high prices begin to bite.

Drivers have received mixed messages as fuel prices continue to soar after nearly a month of the Iran war and fears of a full-blown energy crisis creep in.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has advised motorists to cut their speed on motorways, share rides and work from home when possible to reduce petrol and diesel consumption.

Meanwhile, the energy minister, Michael Shanks, said everyone should ‘go about their business as normal,’ adding that there was no sign of a fuel shortage.

Mr Shanks said: ‘They should do everything as absolutely normal because there is no shortage of fuel anywhere in the country at the moment.

‘We monitor this every single day, I look at the numbers personally. There’s no issue at all with that.’

When asked if drivers should slow their speed, Shanks told Times Radio today: ‘Look genuinely, people shouldn’t change their behaviour or their habits in the slightest.’

However, some Metro readers who drive have already made changes, including swapping petrol and diesel for an electric vehicle.

Sue Thomson said: ‘My son bought an electric scooter to go to and from work to save using his car.’

Bruce Macefield said he has ‘reduced driving for pleasure’ due to skyrocketing prices.

Salman Mirza said: ‘Fuel has been expensive for a while, city and town driving, you’re in traffic sitting in queues, I try to ride my bicycle as much as possible, it’s quicker, better for your health and better for the environment.’

Dale N Beki Thompson said he hasn’t changed his driving behaviour or at the pump but is ‘working harder to make up the difference.’

Some drivers have cut back on how much they fill up, with one saying they now buy £20 worth at a time instead of spending £30.

Others have taken practical steps to reduce fuel consumption. David Reeves said he ‘blew my tyres to the maximum safe limit and emptied my boot.’

Meanwhile, several drivers said they were fed up with ‘price gouging’ at some forecourts.

Metro reader Richard Hopes said he hasn’t changed anything ‘but have taken note of the garages who have hiked their prices more than others and won’t be giving them my business from now on.’

How much does petrol and diesel cost now?

Diesel price in the UK has hit 173.83p per litre, while unleaded petrol is selling for around 148.55p, according to the RAC.

This means filling up a family car with diesel could soon cost £100.

Simon Williams, the motoring group’s head of policy, said the price of diesel has gone up by 22% since February 28, while petrol has shot up 11.8%.

He said: ‘Diesel looks likely to break the 180p-a-litre mark in the next week or so, and if it goes on to reach 182p the price of a tank for a family car would breach £100. If petrol climbs to 150p, as seems inevitable, it will take the cost of a fill-up to £82.50.

The prices dropped briefly yesterday after Donald Trump signalled that talks with Tehran could bring the war to an end soon, before rising again this morning.

It comes after the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, warned retailers that price gougers will face a ‘range of powers’ from the government and the industry regulator.

He told Metro previously that the government was introducing measures ‘to make sure that consumers are not ripped off during this situation.’

Last week, gas prices jumped by 20% after Israeli missiles struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, the natural gas plant in the world. Iran responded by launching airstrikes in Qatar’s Ras Laffan oil refinery.

As Tehran continues to blockade the vital oil trade route, the Strait of Hormuz, fuel and gas prices have taken a hit, with the impact felt by consumers around the world.

Just days into the war, images emerged showing long queues forming at some petrol stations despite assurances that the UK’s fuel reserves were not running out.

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