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The Highways Agency has launched a new campaign aiming to alert people to the dangers of driving without enough fuel in their vehicle.

Between February 2007 and January 2008, a total of 1,341 drivers ran out of fuel on motorways in the south-west alone, suggesting this is not an overly uncommon occurrence.

Yellow message signs will be deployed at key points along the motorway, while variable message sings will be used to remind drivers to fill up en route.

"The motorway hard shoulder should be used only in genuine emergencies but the number of people breaking down simply because they have run out of fuel is alarming," said Graham Bowskill, director of the Highways Agency in the south-west.

Mr Bowskill added that numerous people have been injured on the hard shoulder, while there have also been "many near-misses".

Across the country, a total of 14,971 drivers - perhaps including personal car loan holders - have broken down for this reason during the February 2007 to January 2008 period.

Earlier this week the Petrol Retailers Association called on the chancellor to scrap a rise in fuel duty scheduled for April 1st, claiming consumers and businesses will feel the effect.

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