Motorists prudent at pumps in face of high petrol prices

Women are restricting their petrol spending more than men, with budget-tightening happening the most in Northern Ireland, the North-West and Wales.

Of the 15,860 AA members surveyed, 14 per cent paid a set amount on their credit card for fuel and 14 per cent set a limit when they paid cash.

The number setting limits on fuel payment rises to 44 per cent among unskilled workers, long-term unemployment and pensioners.

Only 21 per cent from the top socio-economic group are limiting what they pay at the pumps.

Among those budgeting a set amount for buying fuel, 23 per cent have had to raise their limit, 13 per cent have had to cut back on their spending and 29 per cent are using their car less.

AA president Edmund King said: “This AA research is a stunning indication of just how badly fuel prices are affecting so many drivers across the UK.

“It is little wonder when you consider that £30 spent even at peak prices in 2008 (119.7p a litre) bought 25.1 litres of petrol. A year ago, the same amount bought 25.9 litres and now it buys 22.3 litres.”

He went on: “With an average new car covering 9.6 miles per litre, the £30 spend buys around 34.6 fewer miles than a year ago.

“Consumers are cutting out one in 20 trips, shopping closer to home, combining trips and watching pump prices like hawks.

“Some are putting their lives and those of others at risk of grinding to a halt by running on fumes.”

An Asda Income Tracker survey revealed households were £11 a week worse off last month, as transport and food costs rose.

The average UK household had £166 a week of discretionary income to spend in July, according to the survey, which is 6.4 per cent lower than a year earlier.