A survey of hundreds of motorists has revealed the issues that most get under people’s skin when stopping at forecourts.
Topping the table is other customers not moving off after filling up and paying, with 37% of those polled listing this as a key annoyance.
But while forecourt operators may not have much control over that pet peeve, some 33% of respondents say out-of-order signs on petrol pumps cause significant frustration.
Drivers treating pump islands as parking spaces and blocking them off when not drawing fuel rankled 28% of those taking part in the survey, while customers spending too long shopping in store and not moving their car from a pump annoyed the same proportion.
Motorists blocking off free pumps by parking at the first island they come to is another bugbear, with 26% of the 600 polled respondents citing this behavious as a source of irritation.
The research comes from RACQ, a breakdown firm based in Queensland. And while the results pertain to Australian drivers, ‘servos’ – as petrol stations are known down under – feature similar layouts and operate in the same manner as UK ones, with drivers filling their own tanks and paying in store after drawing fuel.
RACQ spokesman Tristan Vorias comments: “Good petrol station etiquette comes down to being aware of others. A little patience and consideration can help make the experience smoother for everyone.”
