Should fuel supplies become restricted within Cumbria then there are a number of measures that will be taken;
- To quickly conserve the fuel available
- To provide a fair allocation of fuel to customers if there are longer term shortages of transport fuels
- To encourage drivers not to keep their fuel tanks more full than they normally do.
Relevant information will be disseminated via the media to the general public about what to do in the event of fuel shortages.
What you can do to help
Suggested measures to reduce fuel consumption by drivers
- Don't use a car if you really don't need to
Drive your car only when necessary. Don't use it for those 'around the corner' trips-walk instead. Don't make two trips when one will do. Combine errands in a single trip.
Car share with another colleague, walk or ride a bike. Alternatively you could use public transport by taking a bus or using the train.
- Maintain your car properly
By properly maintaining your car and by following the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, you can maximise fuel efficiency. A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50%.
- Plan your journey
Sitting in traffic will reduce the vehicle's fuel economy. If possible it is therefore better to plan ahead and avoid travelling at peak times when congestion is likely. Carefully plan your route in advance.
- Don't carry unnecessary weight
A rooftop carrier can increase fuel consumption by as much as five per cent in motorway driving. If the carrier is not permanently fixed to your vehicle, remove it when it is not needed.
- Be a steady driver
Fuel can be saved by using a steady driving technique where the driver anticipates what is ahead and keeps as constant a speed as possible.
- Restrict your speed
For most fuel-efficient cruising do not exceed 50 miles per hour (DfT estimate). Most cars use about 10% less fuel when driven at 50mph rather than 62mph and a reduction in speed from 68mph to 50mph can reduce fuel consumption by 20%. The optimum speed for HGVs is also below 50mph and large vehicles can achieve similar savings in fuel consumption by reducing their speed to this level.
- Don't idle
No matter how efficient your car, idling consumes fuel. One minute of idling uses up more fuel than restarting your engine. Turn off the ignition if you are waiting (it would also help to relieve air pollution).
- Use electrics less
Car electrics impose an extra load on the engine, making it work harder and burn more fuel. Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to ten percent in stop-go traffic.
Improved flexibility of working practices by your employer.
Your employer may have in place business continuity planning arrangements that cater for reduced availability of fuel supplies. These may include:
- Increased working from home (where possible and practical to do so),
- Rearranging work hours (such as lengthening working days but reducing the number of days worked)
- Encouraging the use of car sharing or promoting use of public transport by employees.
