The number of Minnesota residents

running out of gas on the highway skyrocketed 34.7 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, Minnesota drivers

called the motor club for fuel delivery 62 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 Alice Byrne, Field Vice President for Allstate's

Midwest Region. "Drivers should remember running out of gas on the highway

can be a lot more than an inconvenience; it can be hazardous."

Byrne 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.