I heard the same about cigarrette prices once they reached the magic £5 per pack but as long as the increase is gradual I think people will accept the increase.
It was only a few years ago the refineries were blockaded because the price went over 80p (85?) per litre.
With regards to the probs in the Middle East, the government should be absorbing some of the increase.

Fuel prices will have a massive effect on the entire economy imho. People are living on a very very fine line at the mo. House prices are through the roof, which leads to very high mortgages, and people just dont have the money, so it will go pop, and theres nothing we can do about it. Just hang on and enjoy the ride.

96.9ppl this morning :D

Still got a garage near me at 93.6ppl, and its alway full!!

I remember when petrol used to go up 4p per gallon, not per litre, which equates to approx 16p per gallon. Good old metric system huh...and people want the euro...i dont think so, we'll get ripped off even more!!

You have been warned

I seriously considered giving up the car when the price of 4* went over £1/Gallon.

Is it only me that thinks "Bloody hell that £4.50/gallon" etc.

Its at times like this I wonder why I drive a car that does <25 mpg... :?

Yep, but rememember the impact of inflation there... As Gnan pointed out, in real terms fuel today's still not as expensive as it was in the 70s.

Not just you. I'd like to get to the point where I no longer need a car - I'm close, I walk to town, cycle to friends, and motorbike to work. My car is 5 years old now and has done 30,000 miles, but less each year. This year its done about 2000.

Actually, I'd accept a massive price increase in fuel if it had the effect of emptying the roads, but the two dont go hand in hand.

The girlfriends does 14mpg. Just madness, but she thinks its worth it.

That is nuts! :shock:

My sister has just bought a 2001 BMW 320d and that does nearly 50mpg and is quicker than my 1988 325i.... shame it cost ten times as much to buy tho... :lol:

price of petrol through the years, and tax content:

http://www.aatrust.com/files/reports...rol_Prices.pdf

Still 93.9 where I am.... and I fill up every other day...