Petrol prices on the rise

Petrol prices have gone up, again. Since the start of 2009 alone, the price we pay at the pump has jumped up by 23%. The government has imposed another 2p fuel increase, the third rise of a similar amount since January. All the while they continue to tell us they are trying to help us through the recession. Making things more expensive, while wages are stagnating, is not going to help any of us.

OK, so we all need to be more environmentally friendly and think about whether we really need to use our cars for that 10 minute journey to town, but this is not the way to go about it. Motorists are wondering, yet again, where this extra money is going? Public transport has not improved, are roads are still pot-holed and the miles of seemingly unnecessary orange cones continues to increase.

Nine months ago, petrol prices were around the 85p a litre mark, they are now well over a pound and it is feared that by the year’s end prices could be up to £1.10 a litre.  Apparently, according to Alistair Darling, the increases are part of a package of tax increases said to secure Britain’s economic future. But if we all have to spend more on fuel, we are hardly likely to have money left over to boost spending in other areas – so how on earth will this help? 

All this means we are going to have to find other ways to reduce the cost of driving. Number one is pretty obvious. We need to drive less. Not only is this important for saving money, but cars and transport more generally are the biggest contributors to climate change throughout the world.  Short journeys are the biggest offenders, so if it’s a choice between a five minute drive or a twenty minute walk, choose your legs over wheels.

Secondly, drive more economically. Excessive breaking and accelerating is not only bad for the environment, but it uses more fuel, therefore will cost you more. Don’t have unnecessary weight in the car and reduce drag by closing the windows and using bike racks that attach to the exterior of the car. Switch off your engine if you are stuck in traffic and not moving for more than a few minutes.