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Fuel prices to go "even higher" says IAM Trust
DATA
released by the IAM Motoring Trust, the policy and research arm of
the Institute of Advanced Motorists, has raised the prospect of even
higher rises at the petrol pumps by the end of the year.
"If crude oil prices stay at their current level, or rise even
higher, Britain's motorists can expect another 20 pence rise in the
price of a litre before the end of 2008, bringing closer the
prospect of the 150 pence litre," says Tim Shallcross, Head
of Technical Policy at the IAM Motoring Trust.
Crude oil prices are more than twice those in July 2007. If these
prices are sustained, the cost of fuel at the pump is likely to rise
accordingly. A comparison of today's pre-tax prices and those in
July 2007 indicates a price of 140p per litre (ppl) for petrol and
even higher for diesel.
IAM Trust research shows:-
* At the start of July 2007, unleaded petrol was 97ppl and diesel
97.4ppl. Crude oil was just over $71 a barrel.
* Today, crude oil is
trading at around $146 a barrel, more than double the 2007 price.
* Although pump
prices have risen steeply, at today's prices of 119.37ppl for petrol
and 132.78ppl for diesel, the percentage increase is much less than
it has been for crude oil.
* Tax of fuel is
split between VAT and a fixed amount of duty, so a comparison of the
pre-tax prices is needed to show how much the basic price of the
fuel has gone up over the past year and whether we have seen the
real impact of the record high crude oil prices.
* The pre-tax price
of a litre of petrol in July 2007 was 34.2 pence; for diesel it was
34.5 pence. If these had doubled in 2008 to match crude oil prices,
the pre-tax price would be 68.4p for a litre of petrol and 69p for
diesel. Applying today's higher duty of 50.35p, and adding VAT,
gives a pump price of 139.53p for petrol and 140.24p for diesel. If
crude oil prices stabilise at today's levels, or rise even higher,
pump prices will inevitably catch up.
The fuel price spreadsheet for end June is available at the IAM
Trust website - IAM Trust
website. |
A
Drink Drive endorsement is an 11 year "black mark"!
AS
summer warms up and the thirst for an
alcoholic drink increases, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)
has reminded drivers of the perils of accidentally drinking and
driving.
An 11 year licence endorsement is just one of the many consequences
of a drink offence, although this isn't widely known. There is no
foolproof way to check your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit
before you get behind the wheel, so the IAM's message to motorists
is: if you're going to drink, don't drive. And if you are going to
drive, don't drink.
Previous surveys have shown a staggering 50% of Britain's 32 million
motorists have owned up to driving after drinking alcohol.
"Just 1" is often followed by another, especially if people
are buying rounds of drinks. And a generous round-buyer may get you
a large wine or a double measure of spirits without you realising.
This may be a well-meaning gesture, but it could put you over the
limit.
Your ability to drive can be affected by even a modest amount of
alcohol, at any time of year. Even if you are actually within the
limit, alcohol still affects your judgement.
If you're driving abroad on a summer holiday, alcohol limits vary
for each individual country, with some countries even having a zero
alcohol limit. But the general rule to be safe no matter where you
are driving remains: don't drink and drive.
Why not offer to be the (non-drinking) designated driver? You'll
save money and you'll be popular with everyone else you're giving a
lift home to.
If you drive at twice the legal limit, you are 30 times more likely
crash, and a long sleep or a large cup of coffee after drinking the
night before may not be the quick fix you expected to allow you to
safely get behind the wheel.
There could be sufficient alcohol in your system to still push you
over the legal limit for many hours after you have stopped drinking.
So remember to leave at least twelve hours between the "bottle"
and the "throttle". |
