New survey shows British Columbians' frustration about gas prices continue, but driving behaviours are costing them money

BCAA unveils latest mobile solution to find cheapest gas prices and offers fuel saving tips

BURNABY, BC, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - While British Columbians take advantage of the recent drop in gas prices, a new survey shows that people are frustrated about the cost of gas and worry when prices begin to rise, but their driving choices are wasting fuel and costing them money.

According to a BCAA commissioned survey of 442 British Columbians conducted by Harris/Decima, 82 per cent of British Columbians are concerned about gas prices with 39 per cent saying they feel helpless when they see gas prices rise. And, while 63 per cent of survey respondents believe they know how to save fuel, motorists' behaviours are actually wasting them money.

To help, BCAA has released its Gas Price Monitor, a new mobile and online tool that allows users to check the daily price of gas, find prices at gas stations along their routes and learn more about gas pricing and ways to save. The Gas Price Monitor is the latest addition to BCAA's technology solutions and interactive tools and is free for anyone.

The new tool, now included in BCAA's mobile app and website, offers access to more than 10,000 gas stations and prices across B.C. and Canada, along with thousands more in the U.S. The BCAA app can be downloaded through Android and Apple app stores or at bcaa.com/gasprices.

"Fluctuating and high gas prices affect all British Columbians whether they drive or not. Even with the recent drop in prices, it's clear that things can wildly change," says Ken Cousin, BCAA associate vice president of Road Assist. "And, what you pay at the pump can also vary inside each community. If you want to find the cheapest fuel, it's important for people to monitor daily gas prices to find the lowest gas price nearby or along their commute. Our app and online tool will help."

The survey also shows:

• 67% fill up at the same station with 78% choosing a location based on convenience.
• 63% think premium grade fuel is better than either regular or mid-grade fuel. In reality, using the wrong type of fuel can be bad for the car and pocketbook.
• 63% would travel at least one kilometre out of their way to save a few cents, offsetting savings by using more fuel.
• Only 56% of B.C. drivers get their vehicle serviced in order to improve its fuel economy.

BCAA also suggests that motorists have a gas saving strategy to reduce costs even more and ensure they're not offsetting any savings. BCAA's tips include the following:

• Track gas prices each day using the Gas Price Monitor on BCAA's mobile app and website.
• 'Top up' whenever gas prices are low or start to decrease even more, but avoid driving out of your way.
• Service your car regularly and keep your tires properly inflated.
• Use the appropriate fuel for your car.
• Avoid fuel-wasting driving techniques such as jack-rabbit starts, hard-braking and unnecessary idling.

To download the app, get tips or to access the online tool and price trends, visit bcaa.com/gasprices.

About the survey
Commissioned by BCAA, 442 British Columbians were surveyed by Harris/Decima as part of "Members Say", a joint study conducted by CAA National in partnership with BCAA and all other CAA clubs. The margin of error for a probability sample of 442 is +/- 4.7%.

About BCAA
BCAA is the most trusted organization in British Columbia according to its Members. With more than 823,000 Members, BCAA provides an array of home, auto, travel and life insurance services, and is renowned for its legendary roadside assistance. J.D. Power has ranked BCAA "Highest In Customer Satisfaction among Home Insurance Providers in Western Canada" three years in a row (2012, 2013 and 2014) – details at jdpower.com. Now in its 108th year, BCAA has over $460 million in annual sales, 27 locations and over 900 employees. To learn more about BCAA's Community Impact Programs to help keep British Columbians safe and the other benefits of BCAA Membership, visit bcaa.com.

SOURCE: British Columbia Automobile Association

or to request an interview, please contact: Niela Melanio, BCAA Communication Specialist, Office: 604-268-5342, Cell: 778-228-8859, Email: [email protected]