Fuel prices have continued soaring without any possibility of a relief for anyone badly in need of oil either to fuel their vehicle or for any other purposes. Thanks to the crises in parts of the world considered major oil producers like Iraq, Nigeria and, perhaps, the impending conflict in the Persian Gulf, oil production has dramatically dropped while prices have in the last three years risen gradually but steadily.

At the bottom-line of it all is the ordinary consumer, a class to which British motorists belong. While struggling to come to terms with increases in the general cost of living, rising fuel costs has remained a major monster no one knows how to effectively checkmate. Not even the government, which analysts have argued benefits from the crisis via taxation. At the moment the UK Government takes £0.70p per litre in tax, without which fuel for consumers would cost about £0.50p per litre, about 59 per cent cheaper.

In addition to soaring prices of fuel, motorists are faced with major issues like car or motor insurance premiums, which have equally been increasing, and other costs of car or vehicle maintenance. A few months ago some people, in a bid to cut down cost, chose to dump their four wheels in favour of biking – motorcycle or bicycle – which consumes little or no fuel and is much easier to maintain. Although growing incidents of bike theft almost threatened bike insurance premiums recently, biking remains far cheaper.

The benefits of biking go beyond monetary gains. Gas guzzlers are immensely contributing to killing the planet and environmentalists have stepped up campaign to discourage excessive motoring. This culminated in the introduction of eco-friendly insurance policies that reward drivers who reduce their mileage and avoid unnecessary speeding or breaking etc.

While this is very important for our collective safety, it also goes a long way to save motorists costs. Advising drivers on how to make this work in their favour head of risk and underwriting at esure, Mike Pickard said: “Driving slower, avoiding excessive breaking or switching off or turning down air conditioning or heating can all help.”

Mr Pickard’s piece of advice is even more relevant against the backdrop of the recent finding by esure that British motorists are unwilling to let rising fuel prices compel them to ditch their cars. Most motorists that participated in the study insisted that unless prices soared up to an average of £1.75 per litre they would continue to keep their vehicles on the road. Currently, fuel is priced at about £1.15p per litre.

Nearly 17 per cent of drivers, according to the survey, said their cap would be £2 per litre, even as they vowed to endure increases and remain as mobile as possible. For this class of motorists getting around on the bus is not an option. Yet 76 per cent of respondents expressed concern over rising fuel costs more than they had done in the past. This is not surprising as the crisis doesn’t seem to have an end date for now.

Irrespective of this there were also those who considered taking public transport out of the question. No matter what costs they would pay these motorists would not mind.

Clearly people are struggling with costs, but the determination to carry on in spite of all odds is very strong. Convenience matters much and driving in their own cars gives Brits that pleasure, no matter what the price may be. In order to have a peace of mind while motoring, they also need to ensure their car insurance policies are adequate and up to date.