Looks like there is an epidemic in Texas. More motorist are learning the hard way that running your car on empty makes it die in the road…. darwinism at its best.

Here are some helpful tips just in case it happens to you.

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Texas Drivers Running on Empty
Out-of-Gas Emergency Calls Jump 53 Percent in Texas

IRVING, Texas, June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The number of Texans running out of gas on the highway skyrocketed 53 percent in the first five months of 2008 compared to the same time last year, according to the Allstate Motor Club. From January through May of 2008, Texans called the Motor Club for fuel delivery 506 times. Allstate Motor Club set a Texas record in May with 140 out-of-gas calls across the state.

"We can't directly correlate this rise in the number of people running out of gas to the rise in prices at the pump, but we know that consumers are trying hard to stretch their dollar and sometimes that means stretching fuel into fumes," said Evelyn Murphy, an Allstate Exclusive Agent in Austin. "Drivers should remember running out of gas on the highway can be a lot more than an inconvenience, it can be hazardous."

Murphy says the average wait time for a can of gas can be 20 or 30 minutes, but more troublesome than the hassle is the danger of being stuck on the road. According to the roadside assistance experts at Allstate Motor Club, running out of gas increases the risk of much more serious accidents for the driver with an empty tank and other motorists who suddenly have to maneuver around a disabled vehicle.

React Safely ...

If you find yourself out of gas, Allstate Motor Club recommends remembering your safety first.

1. If you feel your car running out of gas, get off the road. Pulling your car to the curb will help you, your passengers and your vehicle from becoming traffic hazards.

2. If you run out of gas in traffic, stay in your vehicle until you are absolutely certain it is safe to get out of the vehicle. Push your vehicle to the side of the road only after you are clear of other cars and you are sure it is safe.

3. Call for help after you and your passengers are in a secure location. If you do not have a motor club membership, many states and municipalities have emergency roadside assistance services that may help get you and your car out of harms-way.

Conserve Safely ...

Allstate has three tips for drivers that will help save gas and also make you a safer driver.

1. Slow down. Fuel economy generally drops at higher rates of speed.

2. Keep tires properly inflated. Properly inflated tires can improve the handling of your vehicle as well as dramatically improve gas mileage.

3. Maintain consistent speed. The more consistent your speed on the roadway, the better your gas mileage will become and the safer you'll be while sharing the highway with other motorists.

 

Looks like its a problem in California too.

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Allstate Out-of-Gas Calls Jump 17 Percent Statewide

California Drivers Running on Empty

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The number of Californians running out of gas on the highway jumped 17 percent in the first five months of 2008 compared to the same time last year – according to the Allstate Motor Club. From January through May of 2008, Californians called the motor club for fuel delivery 606 times.

Countrywide, calls to Allstate Motor Club for running out of gas are up by 52 percent for the first months of 2008 over the same time last year.

“We can’t directly correlate this rise in the number of people running out of gas to the rise in prices at the pump, but anecdotally we know that consumers are trying hard to stretch their dollar and sometimes that means stretching fuel into fumes,” said Phil Telgenhoff, Allstate assistant field vice president for California. “Drivers should remember running out of gas on the highway can be a lot more than an inconvenience; it can be hazardous.”

Telgenhoff says the average wait time for a can of gas is half an hour, but more troublesome than the hassle is the danger of being stuck on the road. According to the roadside assistance experts at Allstate Motor Club, running out of gas increases the risk of much more serious accidents for the driver with the empty tank and other motorists that suddenly have to maneuver around the mistake.

Stay Safe…

If you find yourself out of gas, Allstate Motor Club recommends remembering your own safety first.
1.   If you feel your car running out of gas, get off the road. Pulling your car to the curb will help keep you, your passengers and your vehicle from becoming traffic hazards and help keep you safe.
2. If you run out of gas in traffic, stay in your vehicle until you are absolutely certain it is safe to get out of the vehicle. Push your vehicle to the side of the road only after you are clear of other cars and you are sure it is safe.
3. Call for help after you and your passengers are in a secure location. If you do not have a motor club membership, many states and municipalities have emergency roadside assistance services that may help get you and your car out of harms-way.

Conserve Safe…

The best advice is to conserve gas without running to empty. Allstate Motor Club and the U.S. Department of Energy offer the following tips to help consumers improve fuel efficiency, and cut costs:

-- Slow down. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.
-- For every 5 miles per hour that a person drives over 60 miles per hour is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas.
-- Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

-- Keep your car maintained and running smoothly with regular tune-ups and upkeep.
-- Checking and replacing air filters can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, and will help protect your engine.
-- Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent.
-- You can also improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.

-- Use your engine wisely.
-- Using cruise control on the highway will help you maintain a constant speed.
-- Using overdrive gearing helps keep your car's engine speed down, saving gas and reducing engine wear.

-- Be smart about driving.
-- Run errands together, rather than taking separate trips.
-- Take advantage of carpools, mass transit and telecommuting options.
-- If you can, stagger your work commute to avoid peak rush hours.

-- Keep your car light. Too often cars become long-term storage facilities. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones.
-- An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2 percent.

-- Make smart vehicle choices.
-- If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.
-- Also, consider purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle.

 

Yes I have, and it's no fun. But I don't try to freeload on the freeway patrol. Actually, it was on a city street where I went dry. Luckily, there was a service station close by, and I topped off and refilled there.  

I ran out of gas back in 1973 when I passed up the "last" gas station because it was higher than any place I'd seen.  Needless to say I ran out 15 miles from any where with my family in the car and late at night.  Some nice folks picked me up, went back and picked up my family and took us the 15 miles to my folks place.  Yes, I've learned my lesson and I've also tried to help anyone I see in that kind of trouble.  

1. To keep from being labeled retarded, never go below 1/4 tank. The tanks shape can be smaller in this zone.

2. Get a GPS, and punch 'Fuel', and it will show closest direct route to it.

3. Don't base a few cents difference to getting into trouble.  It will be more tomorrow.