More Chattanooga Area Motorists Running On Empty With High Gas Prices

Despite lower gas prices, a gallon of regular still remains high when compared to what we paid a few years ago.  The extra expense leads some motorists to try and stretch every gallon they have to the last drop.

Ranny Saint keeps an eye out for anything that might slow traffic on Chattanooga's main roads.  From flat tires to overheated vehicles, Saint's seen it all.  One thing Saint and his other T-DOT Help truck drivers see more of these days... vehicles on empty.  Saint says "you run into all types, some that are embarrassed, its the first time its ever happened and they're asking 'oh, don't tell my husband or don't tell my wife' you know."

In the Chattanooga district alone, fuel assist calls have followed rising gas prices... jumping 19% in two-years.  Jennifer Flynn, TDOT Community Relations, says "the real big increase started in 2006 when prices started, you know" going up.

From January to July, Chattanooga District Help trucks made 899 fuel assist stops in 2006, 1005 in 2007, and 1108 so far this year.  It's a trend seen statewide.

Fuel assist doesn't mean TDOT is going to fill you up, in fact they'll only give you enough gas to get to the next exit.

With the numbers increasing, Help truck operators now keep tabs on those who abuse this service.  Flynn says "they keep a database of repeat offenders and keep an eye out and they don't keep giving these people gas."  Instead, TDOT moves these motorists to the shoulder... Out of the way of those who fill-up before its too late.